HERON 309 



plumage of the first year, behind the sea-wall on Whit- 

 stable Flats. The bird, although apparently unwounded, 

 was stupid enough to allow itself to be knocked on the 

 head with a stick." 



One was killed by a fox on the hills near Trosley, 

 Kent ; it was supposed to have been blown inland by 

 a heavy gale. A labourer made a pie of it, thinking it 

 was a wild goose. 



The audacity of the Gannet is reported in several news- 

 papers. On Saturday, December 22, 1906, " an angler, 

 while fishing at Dover, captured a fine Gannet, which 

 swooped down and took his catch, hook and all." 



Family ARDEID^. 



Genus ARDEA, Brisson. 



HEKON. 



Ardea cinerea, Linnseus. S.N., i., p. 236 (1766). 

 Hern, Grey Hern. 



The Heron is well known throughout the county, and 

 may be seen on all the large rivers, lakes, and along 

 the sea-coast nearly all the year round, but not in large 

 numbers. 



Mr. W. H. Power, in his Birds Observed at Bainham, 

 states : " Young birds of this species were common 

 during July, 1866, but were, as usual, very shy. I only 

 succeeded in getting at them once, shooting two one 

 morning before breakfast. On July 10 I saw five flying 

 together." 



In Lord Darnley's park at Cobham there is a Heronry 



