THE HERON 
185 
It is said to be easily tamed, but upon this subject I can say 
very little, having made but one attempt. On the 20th of July 
1865 a living Heron was brouglit to me by a man whose dog 
liad caught it upon some marshy ground by the Loch of Clif£ 
It was evidently a young bird of the year, and was well grown 
and fully fledged, though a considerable quantity of down was 
yet remaining among the plumage, particularly about the top of 
the head, where there were also some long slender filaments, 
very much resembling shreds of tow. Thinking that the bird 
woidd soon recover from the slight injury inflicted by the dog’s 
teeth, I turned it into some fields where there were several 
large pools and a few streams, all well stocked Avith trout ; but 
liere it was very soon caught by some boys, who, after keeping it 
for days Avithout being able to make it take food, sold it to a 
friend of mine, and he immediately sent it as a present to me. 
Having turned it loose in the garden, I placed near it a pan of 
Avater containing fish of several kinds, but next morning they 
remained untouched, and the bird appeared to be dying. I 
then placed a small trout betAveen its mandibles, and it Avas 
instantly swalloAved Avith eagerness ; next day the process Aras 
repeated, and afterAvards I continued the supply regularly, but 
in larger quantity. The bird very soon grew strong, and in a 
feAV weeks avouM come running towards me Avhen I called, 
sometimes greeting my appearance Avith cries resembling those 
of an adult, though not so loud. She rapidly became exceed- 
ingly tame, never attempting to leave the garden, and alloAving 
me to carry her about and handle her as I pleased. No prefer- 
ence was shoAvn for any particular kind of food ; trout, pollacks, 
flounders, small birds, slugs, earthAvorms, and even bread were 
SAvalloAved Avith equal satisfaction, but up to the very last day 
of her short existence, she could never be prevailed upon to take 
food of her own accord, even after long abstinence. Wlien fish 
Avere thrown into the Avater, the bird loAvered its bill so as 
almost to touch the surface, and would there remain perfectly 
motionless for many minutes, as though fascinated. Even after 
health and strength Avere fully regained, it displayed but little 
