370 
Heron versus Eel Duel. 
the Ground Dove {C. passerina) so common around Buena 
Vista. After travelling- round two sides of the lake we again 
ascended, and after an hour's still" climb reached the divide. 
Here we halted for lunch. Behind us Lake Elizabeth in its 
setting of high mountains made a charming picture. In front 
the trail running- between the mountains forming the southern 
end of the Tejon Pass, looked far less attractive. All around 
us was the chapparal, consisting- very largely of Sage Bush, 
fromi here to the coast the commonest of all the shrubs. Bird 
life was scarce and no fresh variety was noted. For nearly 
40 miles our way was now downhill, at first by an easjy 
gradient, but afterwards "by the worst kind of track yet 
encountered on the trip. 
To he continued. 

Heron versus Eel Duel. 
By S. Williams, F.Z.S. 
A¥hile spending a short holiday at Clacton in Septem- 
ber, my friend, Mr. F. A. Harrison, F.Z.S., showed me the 
photo which has been reproduced to accompany this article. 
Being unique it should be of interest to B.iY. readers. 
A Common Heron, while on the look out for a meal in 
the Stour at Flatford, near East Bergholt, Sullolk, chanced 
to spot a nice eel, and Heron -like made for it. Scoring a "bull 
so to speak, it impaled the Eel with its bill a few inches from 
the head. The Eel, having got entangled in the reeds in the 
river, offered a stout resistance. The result was ^the Heron 
became exhausted, was drawn under the water and drowned. 
The Eel also died from the severe wound received in the neck 
from the Heron's bill. 
When measured the Eel was 27 inches long and had a 
girth of five inches, weighing one and a quarter pounds. The 
Heron also was a fine specimen, standing 30 inches high and 
measuring five and a quarter feet from tip to tip of wings. 
This duel took place on August 3rd, 1914, 
