The Heron and the Chickens
The Waimea (Central Otago) farmer was greatly interested a week or two ago when a white heron alighted on a chicken coop a lew yards from the house and gazed pensively at the chickens running about below. The farmer naturally thought the heron was taking a paternal interest in the chickens and let it go at that. Early one morning a few days later the heron arrived again and took up his position beside a stream near the house. When the fowls were fed he left the stream and walked among the fowls in a peculiar crouching position with his head and neck thrust out in front. Suddenly he made a ’ lightning dart with his bill, and it was seen that he had impailed an unfortunate sparrow. After a considerable amount of shaking, and several unsuccessful attempts, the heron swallowed the sparrow, which could be seen slowly passing down the long slender neck. The farmer now understands why the heron was so interested in his chickens.
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Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21191, 14 August 1940, Page 2
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171The Heron and the Chickens Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21191, 14 August 1940, Page 2
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