26o CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



It is an interesting" bird owinsf to its associations 

 with the past when falconry was a pastime. In 

 those days the Heron was protected by law, being 

 esteemed as a favourite quarry for the Falcon. 



Mr. W. H. Hudson in his book has something 

 interesting on this subject which is worth quoting ; 

 he says, " When pursued by a Falcon the Heron is 

 capable of rising vertically to a vast height, while 

 the Hawk rushes after in a ziof-zaof course, strivingf 

 to rise above his quarry so as to strike. This aerial 

 contest of Hawk and Heron forms a very fascinating 

 spectacle, and formerly, when Hawks were trained 

 for this sport, the Heron was as much esteemed as 

 the Pheasant — which has been called the ' Sacred ' 

 bird — is at the present day. With the decline of 

 falconry the Heron ceased to be protected by law 

 and diminished greatly in numbers ; but he is a 

 historical bird, and there is a feeling or sentiment 

 that has served to prevent his extermination." 



So far as my observations obtain in regard to this 

 particular species, I have found it in evidence in 

 almost every part of the British Islands I have been 

 in— if I make an exception it would be the Hebrides, 

 for I don't think there are many there. As for 

 Heronries, there are probably a good many more 

 than are mentioned in ornithological books. 



In the year 1903, when sailing in a boat along the 

 sea cliffs which skirt the Island of Mull, there was a 

 Heronry — a fair sized colony in fact. 



Howard Saunders, in giving the birds' nesting-site, 

 is very accurate in what he says : "they nest in 



