128 
THE GREAT BLUE HERON. 
risk is so much the greater that birds of this species commonly aim at the 
eye. If beaten with a pole or long stick, they throw themselves on their 
back, cry aloud, and strike with their bill and claws with great force. I 
have shot some on trees, which, although quite dead, clung by their claws 
for a considerable time before they fell. I have also seen the Blue Heron 
giving chase to a Fish Hawk, whilst the latter was pursuing its way through 
the air towards a place where it could feed on the fish which it bore in its 
talons. The Heron soon overtook the Hawk, and at the very first lounge 
made by it, the latter dropped its quarry, when the Heron sailed slowly 
towards the ground, where it no doubt found the fish. On one occasion of 
this kind, the Hawk dropped the fish in the water, when the Heron, as if 
vexed that it was lost to him, continued to harass the Hawk, and forced it 
into the woods. 
The flight of the Great Blue Heron is even, powerful, and capable 
of being protracted to a great distance. On rising from the ground or on 
leaving its perch, it goes off in silence with extended neck and dangling 
legs, for eight or ten yards, after which it draws back its neck, extends its 
feet in a straight line behind, and with easy and measured flappings continues 
its course, at times flying low over the marshes, and again, as if suspecting 
danger, at a considerable height over the land or the forest. It removes from 
one pond or creek, or even from one marsh to another, in a direct manner, 
deviating only on apprehending danger. When about to alight, it now and 
then sails in a circular direction, and when near the spot it extends its legs, 
and keeps its wings stretched out until it has effected a footing. The same 
method is employed when it alights on a tree, where, however, it does not 
appear to be as much at its ease as on the ground. When suddenly sur- 
prised by an enemy, it utters several loud discordant notes, and mutes the 
moment it flies off. 
This species takes three years in attaining maturity, and even after that 
period it still increases in size and weight. When just hatched they have a 
very uncouth appearance, the legs and neck being vei'y long, as well as the 
bill. By the end of a week the head and neck are sparingly covered with 
long tufts of silky down, of a dark grey colour, and the body exhibits young 
feathers, the quills large, with soft blue sheaths. The tibio-tarsal joints 
appear monstrous, and at this period the bones of the leg are so soft, that 
one may bend them to a considerable extent without breaking them. At 
the end of four weeks, the body and wings are well covered with feathers 
of a dark slate-colour, broadly margined with ferruginous, the latter colour 
shewing plainly on the thighs and the flexure of the wing; the bill has grown 
wonderfully, the legs would not now easily break, and the birds are able to 
stand erect on the nest or on the objects near it. They are now seldom fed 
