The Crested-Heron.-] OF ORKNEY. 77 



DIVISION II.— WATER-FOWL. 



ORDER VL— CLOVEN-FOOTED, OR WADERS. 



GENUS XVL—THE HERON. 



Gea. Char. — Bill long, strong, and sharp pointed ; nostrils linear ; tongue point- 

 ed ; toes connected as far the first joint by a membrane; back toe large. 



Species l.—The Crested-Heron. 



Common Heron, or Heronshaw, Wil. Orn. ^11. Ardea Cinerea Major, sen 

 Palla, Rail Syn. Jv. 98. Ardea Major, Lin. Sys. 236. Brit. Zool. 339- 

 Ore. Heron with a black top. 



This bird is very frequent with us in winter; sometimes 

 may be seen fifty in a flock, but then very shy : however, I 

 have seen two or three shot in that season, which, though 

 small in proportion to the length and breadth, were tolerable 

 eating. 



Whether this species continues with us or not, I am not po- 

 sitive, as I have never seen it in summer ; rather think not, 



