_LONG LEGS WITH FEATHERS._
[Illustration]
1. We have here the picture of a heron, a very curious bird. It has
long legs, a large body, a long neck, and a long pointed bill.
2. Its toes are long and pointed, and when spread out they cover a
large space. It can turn its neck and bill so that sometimes it looks
as if it would wring its own neck off.
3. The heron lives on frogs and fish. With its long legs it can wade
out in the shallow water, and its toes spread out so it does not sink
in the mud.
4. When ready for breakfast, it wades in where the water is half-leg
deep. Then it stands so still that the fish, the frogs, and the
water-rats will swim all about its legs.
5. All at once, as quick as a flash, down plunges the beak, and up
comes a frog from the water, and down it goes, whole, into the long
throat. Another comes along, and goes the same way.
[Illustration]
6. When it has had enough, it steps ashore, cleans its feathers with
its long bill, and goes to sleep standing on one leg. Its middle toe
has a double nail, and with this it scratches off the down that sticks
to its bill after cleaning its feathers.
7. The heron flies high in the air. When flying, its legs extend out
straight behind, and its neck curls over and rests on its back.
8. The stork is another bird with long legs that wades in the water
and eats frogs and fish. In Holland, the stork is so tame that it
lives in the farm-yard, and often builds its nest on the house-tops.