THE NIGHT-HERON. 
105 
comes by, quick as thought he strikes it with 
his long bill, and swallows it head first. The 
frogs are more cunning, for they dive into the 
mud, and do not raise their heads until they 
think he is gone. But he is as cunning as 
they are. He keeps his eye fixed upon the 
spot where the frog has disappeared ; and ap- 
proaches with stealthy tread, laying his feet so 
noiselessly on the ground that they cannot be 
heard, or the vibration of them felt. When he 
has come near enough, he bends forward and 
stands like a statue, until the frog, who thinks 
it has waited long enough, peeps cautiously 
out. Then, with a shock as quick and certain 
as that of the ^•attlesnake, the heron seizes it 
in his bill, and devours it. 
The quantity of food he can devour at one 
meal is incredible ; and when he has satisfied 
his appetite he retires to the interior of the 
swamp, and stands on one leg for many hours, 
apparently digesting his supper. 
There are several species of herons ; but they 
all live in the cedar swamps, and their habits 
are pretty much alike. The night-herons are 
called the " qua birds," because of their notes, 
which consists of a repetition of this sound; 
