102 THE NIGHT-HERON. 
four eggs, rather bigger than a hen s egg, but 
with very thin shells, and of a sea-green colour. 
The little herons do not fly until they are 
grown up ; but they leave the nest in about 
three weeks, crawling about and clinging to 
the branches, — always getting to the top of 
the tree, to look out for the return of their 
parents. They keep up a continual croaking, 
and the old birds croak as well ; but if a tra- 
veller comes in sight, they are all silent in a 
moment. The old birds rise in the air, and 
sail round and round to reconnoitre him ; while 
the young ones, frightened out of their wits, 
scramble off in every direction. In their fright 
they sometimes throw themselves into the 
water, and swim away to hide amongst the 
mud, or in any hole ox corner they can 
find. 
But if the traveller retire their fears abate ; 
they begin to call to each other, and to peep 
out of their hiding-places ; and before very long 
the croaking is as loud as ever. 
The fears of the little herons are not alto- 
gether groundless ; for they are much sought 
after, and thought as nice to eat as young 
pigeons. 
