THE great WHlTii HERONS. 
75 
or to the Neusiedler Lake. Mr. Seebohm gives the 
owing account of the species : — “ The habits of this graceful 
ltd those of the Common Heron in many respects, 
oehghts to frequent the outskirts of extensive swamps, the 
Rrgins of rivers, and shallow weed-grown lakes, together with 
1 low-thickets and other w'ooded countiy when it is flooded. 
Olay frequently be seen in small parties of perhaps half a 
ozen individuals, walking sedately about mud-flats and low 
. ands, or standing preening its brilliantly white plumage. It 
® R very conspicuous bird, and may be observed for half a mile 
r more ; consequently it is very wary, and seldom allows the 
server to come near. It looks remarkably graceful as it walks 
owly up do-wji t}i0 niarshy banks of a stream or stands 
sometimes on one leg, in the water, patiently wait- 
og for food. Its flight is moderately slow, performed by a 
eries of regular flappings of the wings. It seems more buoyant 
1 the air than the Common Heron, and looks more graceful. 
prolonged for a considerable distance, and the 
conspicuous as it flaps slowly over the dense waving 
eeds. The Great White Heron may be seen in little parties all 
•"ough the breeding-season, and in winter it congregates into 
ofRT flocks. It also mingles freely with other species 
Herons, but its large size is always enough to distinguish it 
s congeners. It does not appear to frequent the most 
c uded and almost impenetrable reeds like the Bittern, but 
little open spaces and the borders of the swamps, 
^ is very fond of the tangled herbage on the banks of a 
sjp often wades for some distance in the water, and 
ms as partial to running streams as to still lakes and 
ponds. 
Qj- of the Great White Heron is principally composed 
larv-p^'f great quantities of water-insects and their 
nenre’ small mammals are captured. The bird ap- 
dav-ti ° tbe greater part, if not all, of its food in the 
or npT^ tu ^ r*' i'*' night when the moon is at 
onlv nn ^ ^ harsh and deep bark, but it is 
scrihprT^K*'??^^^^ heard. The note of the young birds is de- 
i or?i repeated!” 
Unfriend! captivity it exhibits a spiteful and 
y spirit to companions of its own species and to other 
