Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-23
ATTACKED BY A HERON.
A Wounded Bird Nearly Kills Hunter In lts
Struggle for Life.

Beaver Brook IN. W special says !:
william Janeway, a hunter, had an uncx-
rected and very exciting adventure on FIJI
day Last, hear the head-waters OF Ter-Mie
river. In this county. lie was hunting
along the margin OF the stream. on the look
out for wood-ducks, and as he sat hidden
behind an alder-bush lie saw large
blue heron aligbt at the edge OF the
water, a short gunshot away. Janeway
fred nj the bird, and IL fell TO the
ground. where il lay fluttering and strug-
Cling, evidently badly wounded. With the
idea Of securing it alive the hunter laid
down his gun and ran TO the spot where
the heron was. The great bird had strug-
gled 10 It's feet before Janeway reached II,
and when IL saw him approaching 1t turned
and tried 10 run away. but was hurt so
that Il could not, and fell again TO the
ground. Jancway hurried on, and, bend
ing over the heron 10 seize II. he was taken
by surprise 10 see il regain It's feetand place
itself in an attitude Of defence. The hunter
had never heard That these birds were cour-
ageous enough TO attack any one, ana
be stepped forward 10 overpower II, when
il sprang TO meet him, and darting out its
long neck, struck Janeway blow in the
face with It's powerful beak that feiled him
20 the ground half stunned. He staggered
TO his feet and found that blood was stream
ing from wound in his cheek made by the
heron's beak. lie had no time TO deter
mine on what II was best to do before the
immense bird, which stood more than
four feet high, flew at him again.
throwing its body heavily against
his breast, ct the same time striking
him lust above the right eye with its beak.
in nj ha irA
up lis advantage ard attacked him rs he lay
ON the ground. The movements OF the
heron, although wounded. were so quick
that it bad given the hunter third blow,
this time in the left eye, before he could
make any defence whatever. Maddened
with pain, Janeway sprang to his feet, and
rushing upon bis singular antagonist,
caught il with both hands about the
neck. Its strength was so great that
stIanglod as IL was by the hunters
desperate cluch. it required all OF Jane
ways power to retain his hold until the
bud was forced to succumb. He held on
10 its neck until II ceased 10 struggle
longer. He had choked ii to death. lie
WIS covered with blood, and his left eye was
blinded. He hurried 10 the house OF
lumberman living near the spot. His check
was land open 10 the bone. where the heron
had struck him first with its beak, and
there was deep hole over his right eye.
The left eye was entirely destroyed. and it
Is feared janeway will lose the sight of the
other one.
The bird with which the hunter had so
severe and serious struggle was subsc-
queHtly brought IN from the woods. II
measured nearly seven feet from tip to tip
Of its wings. These birds are rare in that
locality, although one is occasionally seen.
Janeway is IN old bear aud deor-hunter.
and has had many thrilling adventures
while hunting them, but he says the sur
prising attack OF the heron was iercer than
any effort he ever saw bear or wounded
buck make In defending itself. Ii was GER
tainly most terrible one for him, as it may
leave him totally blind.