310 



THE COMMON HERON. 



would devour. Thej consequently put several small Eoacli and Dace 

 into a tub ; and the Ileron, one day with another, ate fifty in a day. 

 Thus a single Ileron is able to destroy nine thousand Carp in half a 

 year. 



The Heron, though he usually takes his prey by wading, frequently 

 catches it while on wing; but this is only 

 in shallow waters, where he is able to 

 dart with more certiiinty than in the 

 deeps ; for in this case, though the fish, at 

 the first sight of its enemy, descends, yet 

 the Heron, with its long bill and leys, 

 instantly })ins it to the bottom, and thus 

 seizes it securely. In this manner, after 

 having been seen with its neck for above a 

 minute under water, he will rise on wing 

 with a Trout or an Eel struggling in his bill. 

 The greedy bird, however, flies to the shore, heeos. 



swallows it, and returns to his fishing. 



Heron-haicking was formerly a favorite diversion; and a penalty of 

 twenty shillings was incurred by any person taking the eggs of this 

 bird. Its flesh was also in former times much esteemed, being valued 

 at a rale equal with that of the Peacock. 



In their breeding season the Herons unite together in large 

 societies, and build in the highest trees. Sometimes as many as eighty 

 nests have been seen in one tree. The nest is made of slicks, and 

 lined with a few rushes and wool, or with feathers. The eggs are four 

 or five in num.ber, and of a pale-green color. 



If taken young, these birds may be tamed ; but the old birds, when 

 captured, soon pine away, refusing every kind of nourishment. 



The dilforent parts of the body of the Heron are admirably adapted 

 to its mode of life. This bird has long legs, for the purpose of wading; 

 a long neck, answerable to these, to reach its prey in the water ; and 

 a wide throat to swallow it. Its toes are long, and armed with strong, 

 booked talons ; one of which is serrated on the edge, the better to 

 retain the fish. The bill is long and sharp, having towards the point 

 serratures, which stand backward ; these, after the prey is struck, act 

 like the barbs of a fish-hook, in detaining it till the bird has time to 

 seize it with its claws. Its broad, large, and concave wings, are of 

 great use in enabling it to carry its load to the nest, which is some- 

 times at a great distance. Dr. Derham tells us, that he has seen lying 

 scattered under the trees of a large heronry, fishes many inches ia 

 length, which must have been conveyed by the birds from the distance 

 of several miles; and D' Acre Barret, Esq., the owner of this heronry, 

 gaw a large Eel that had been conveyed thither by one of them, not- 

 withstanding the inconvenience that it must have experienced from 

 the fish writhing and twisting about. 



The body of the Ileron is very small, and always lean ; and the skin ia 

 said to be scarcely thicker than what is called goldbeater's skin. It is 

 probable that this bird is capable of long abstinence ; as its usual food, 

 which consists of fish and reptiles, cannot at all times be had. 



