448 ARDEA CINEREA. 



ground, though they will likely rise higher as they get from 

 the coast. Once or twice I have seen them in the fields. I 

 recollect of one forenoon seeing four of them standing in a 

 ploughed field, in most grotesque attitudes, reminding one 

 of a consultation of Avitches more than anything else. They 

 appear to feed by night ; but I do not think they see objects 

 so w r ell in the dusk, for I have seen two or three pass 

 overhead within shot, whilst I was quite unconcealed. On 

 another occasion, when I was down amongst the rocks by 

 moonlight, one alighted close beside me (not a dozen yards 

 distance, I suppose), and did not seem to be aware of me till 

 I frightened it off. When looking for food, they stand by 

 or in the pools of water, with partially outstretched neck, 

 anxiously intent for their prey, stepping slowly about now 

 and then, and taking a short flight for a few yards to some 

 more likely spot, or leaving the bay altogether for some 

 neighbouring one. They form a fine object in the landscape 

 on their journey to their distant nests, as 



" ' "With expanded wings they steer their flight 

 Aloft, incumbent on the dusky air.' 



" A few breed in the woods of Feteresso ; and I have been 

 told there is a heronry at Inglesmaldie, in the south corner of 

 the parish of Fettercairn, in this county, and in a straight 

 line, I suppose, about twenty miles from this." 



Heronries are numerous in the tract of country forming 

 the eastern half of the middle division of Scotland. The 

 most celebrated of them is that on the banks of the 

 Findhorn. 



The Grey Heron frequents the margins of rivers, pools, 

 and lakes, as well as the shores of inlets of the sea, where it 

 may often be observed patiently watching for its prey, or 

 slowly walking among the mud or weeds. It seems to be 

 possessed of little activity, and in this respect to contrast 

 with the Curlew and other birds of the Scolopaceous family, 

 which are incessantly in motion while looking for food. 

 Perched on a stone by the water, reposing on one foot, with 

 its neck retracted, it remains motionless for hours, until a 

 fish, or frog, or other object attract its attention, or it is 

 roused by the apprehension of danger. At low water, how- 



