248 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



a close sitter, and when disturbed slips quietly from the 

 eggs and quits the place with little or no demonstration. 

 The male is never seen at the nest, but is usually to be 

 met with on the water adjoining. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Red-breasted Merganser are from eight 

 to twelve in number. They are uniform olive-gray, of 

 various shades in colour, smooth in texture, and some- 

 what glossy. Average measurement, 2'6 inches in length, 

 by 17 inch in breadth. Incubation, performed by the 

 female, lasts twenty-eight days. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of the present 

 species may be confused with those of the Scaup — those 

 of the Pochard are much smaller — but the down (tufts 

 large, pale brownish-gray, with obscure pale centres and 

 tips) readily prevents confusion, and should be taken in 

 every case for correct and perfect identification. 



Family ARDEID^. Genus Ardea. 



COMMON HERON. 



Ardea cinerea, LiiuicBus. 

 Single Brooded. Laying season, March and April. 



British breeding area : The Common Heron is 

 widely distributed throughout the British Islands, breed- 

 ing in every part, with the exception of the treeless 

 Outer Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the Shetlands. Its 

 colonies, however, are local, and in Scotland and Ireland 

 small in comparison with those in England. 



Breeding habits : The Heron is a resident in our 

 islands. Its favourite breeding-places are woods, plan- 



