EGGERS OF LABRADOR.
made the coast of Labrador their summer residence, and unless they
follow the persecuted tribes to the northward, they must renounce their
trade.
Had not the British Government long since passed strict laws against
these ruthless and worthless vagabonds, and laid a heavy penalty on all
of them that might be caught in the act of landing their cargoes in Newfoundland
or Nova Scotia, 1 might
( 87 )
T H E G R E A T B L U E H E R O N .
ARDEA HERODIAS, LINN.
PLATE CCXI. MALE.
THE State of Louisiana has always been my favourite portion of the
Union, although Kentucky and some other States have divided my affections
; but as we are on the banks of the fair Ohio, let us pause a while,
good Reader, and watch the Heron. In my estimation, few of our waders
are more interesting than the birds of this family. Their contours and
movements are always graceful, if not elegant. Look on the one that
stands near the margin of the pure stream:—see his reflection dipping
as it were into the smooth water, the bottom of which it might reach
had it not to contend with the numerous boughs of those magnificent
trees. How calm, how silent, how grand is the scene ! The tread of the
tall bird himself no one hears, so carefully does he place his foot on the
moist ground, cautiously suspending it for a while at each step of his progress.
Now his golden eye glances over the surrounding objects, in surveying
which he takes advantage of the full stretch of his graceful neck.
Satisfied that no danger is near, he lays his head on his shoulders, allows
the feathers of his breast to droop, and patiently awaits the approach of
his finned prey. You might imagine what you see to be the statue of a
bird, so motionless is it. But now, he moves; he has taken a silent step,
and with great care he advances; slowly does he raise his head from his
shoulders, and now, what a sudden start! his formidable bill has transfixed
a perch, which he beats to death on the ground. See with what
difficulty he gulps it down his capacious throat! and now his broad wings
open, and away he slowly flies to another station, or perhaps to avoid his
unwelcome observers.
The " Blue Crane11 (by which name this species is generally known
in the United States) is met with in every part of the Union. Although
more abundant in the low lands of our Atlantic coast, it is not uncommon
in the countries west of the Alleghany Mountains. I have found it
in every State in which I have travelled, as well as in all our " Territories.
11 It is well known from Louisiana to Maine, but seldom occurs
farther east than Prince Edward's Island in the Gulf of St Lawrence,