314 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE.

rat. The mouse is then jerked upwards, and caught again
head downwards. A second jerk sends the mouse half down
the owl’s throat, while its tail remains sticking out of the
side of its bill, where it is rolled about as if the owl were
smoking. After some time has been spent in this:amusement,
another jerk causes the mouse to disappear altogether, and
the owl looks very happy and contented. But if a small
bird is presented to it, the owl tears it up and devours it
piecemeal.” The great Eagle Owl which measures two feet
and upwards will attack hares, rabbits, and young fawns.
ORDER VIII. The order of wading birds includes many
Wading Birds. that we can do no more than mention :—the
Moor Hen; the Woodcock; the Snipe; the Water pheasant;
the Plover; the Lapwing; the Crane; the Heron; the Stork;
and the Flamingo are the more familiar birds of the order,
which however includes the Crakes; the Coots; the Curlews;
the Bustards; the Sandpipers, and others.

The Cranes. The Cranes belong to Africa and Southern Asia,
but migrate from clime to clime as the seasons change. The
flight of the Cranes, like that of some other birds, is a compact
and well ordered progression. They fly high and commonly
at night, apparently under the direction of a leader whose
course they follow and whose calls they obey. There are
several varieties, the Common Crane, the Numidian Crane,
and the Balearic Crane being the better known of these.
The Heron, The Heron is an expert fisherman and has
all the necessary patience for the pursuit of his sport. He
will stand motionless for hours at the water side, waiting his
opportunity, and then dart with unerring aim at the unsuspect-
ing fish and secure his meal. The bill ofthe heron is a
powerful weapon, and as we remarked when dealing with the
falcons, formerly used in hunting the heron, it will sometimes
transfix the Falcon by throwing its head back and receiving
its enemy on the point. Captain Brown gives an illustration
which shows that the Heron’s bill may be as effective in