OF BIRDS. 
107 
HERON. 
The common Heron is remarkably light 
in proportion to its bulk, weighing scarcely 
three pounds and a half, yet it expands a 
breadth of wing which is live feet from the 
tip of the one to that of the other. Its beak 
is very long, being five inches from the point 
to the base; its claws are long, sharp, and 
the middle one toothed like a saw. Yet, 
thus armed as it appears for war, it is indo- 
lent and cowardly ; and even flics at the 
approach of a sparrow-hawk. Of all birds, 
this commits the greatest devastation in fresh 
waters ; and there is scarcely a fish, though 
ever so large, that he will not strike at, 
though unable to carry it away. But the 
' small fish are his chief food. These, pur- 
sued by the larger fellows of the deep, are 
obliged to take refuge in shallow waters, 
where they find the Heron a still greater 
enemy. 
