Heron　苍鹭

The heron when attacked by an eagle or falcon endeavors to escape by rising in the air and getting above its foe.The wings of the heron strike the air with an equal and regular motion which raises its body to such an elevation that at a distance nothing is seen except the wings,which are at last lost sight of in the region of the clouds.If its enemy gets above it,and upon or near its body,it defends itself vigorously with its long and powerful beak,and often comes off victorious.The heron frequents the neighborhood of rivers and lakes.Almost always solitary,it remains for hours motionless on the same spot.When seeking the fish or frogs on which it chiefly feeds,the heron wades into the water,folds its long neck partially over its back and forward again,and with watchful eye waits till a fish comes within reach of its beak,when it darts its head into the water and secures its slimy,slippery prey.

苍鹭遭到鹰的攻击时，逃命之计就是飞到天上，超越敌人。但见它均匀有力地拍打着翅膀，越飞越高，开始还能看清它的翅膀，后来就完全消失在云端，什么也看不见了。如果敌人在它的头顶盘旋，或者扑到近前，它就用厉害的长嘴全力自卫，往往可以成功脱险。苍鹭经常出没于河流和湖泊四周，它总是形单影只，能在原地一动不动地站好几个小时。苍鹭主要吃鱼和青蛙。为了捕食，它站在水中，长长的脖子一会儿弯到后面，一会儿又伸到前面，警惕地注视着水面，一旦有鱼进入它嘴巴够得着的地方，它就一头扎进水里逮住那溜光水滑的猎物。