BIRDS OF THE MARSH AND LAKE 383 



together and stands on the extreme edge of the 

 sticks, whilst its more alert companion has already 

 fluttered to a near umbrageous summit open to lake 

 and sky, and is standing curving its neck and 

 looking at the intruder with surprised and 

 frightened eyes. 



Above, in the blue of the sky, the old birds are 

 wheeling, now and again dropping with out- 

 stretched legs almost to the tops of the trees, and 

 then turning and, with a startled "caak," reascend- 

 ing to the altitudes. We catch one of the young 

 Herons, with its ashen-grey plumes just becoming 

 developed, and watch him as he curves his lissom 

 neck in many graceful evolutions; on reaching the 

 ground we set him free, when he runs and flutters 

 until he is lost in the tangle of the undergrowth. 



Although the Heron usually builds in high 

 trees, instances are given of the nests having been 

 found on the walls of a ruin or upon the bare hill- 

 side. There is an ancient heronry in Kerry, built 

 in low hollies and mountain-ashes on an island in 

 one of the lakes. One nest is placed in so lowly 

 a position that when a boat runs into the little 

 harbour, amidst the ferns and mossy stones, it is 

 possible to reach the eggs by merely standing on 

 the bow. 



In one respect the Heron stands almost alone 

 amongst birds which subsist by catching living 

 prey. Others mostly pursue their quarry; hunting 

 them down either in air or water, with hound-like 

 persistence. The gaunt Heron relies upon his in- 

 exhaustible store of patience, standing quite motion- 



