CHAPTER IX 



THE COMMON HERON 



The nest of the Common Heron is a large flat 

 structure composed of sticks, lined with grass, 

 wool, or other materials. It is built as a rule on 

 high trees ; in fact Herons build like Rooks, whole 

 colonies of them, only the nests are on a much 

 larger scale. The eggs, from three to five in num- 

 ber, are bright bluish-green ; these the Jackdaws steal 

 whenever the chance offers. The Heron builds at 

 times on the ground, when no trees are near. 



Very few birds have had such grace .of sanctuary 



extended to them as the fine bird under notice. 



Royal laws w^ere framed for his especial protection, 



or we might say for the personal pleasure of those 



for whom he provided noble sport, that of hawking. 



Before fowling-pieces were known, trained falcons 



were used, not only for sport, but in order to supply 



game for the table. The Heron in those days was 



a orame bird of the hiorhest rank, and a cast of white 



Gyr-Falcons was considered a noble present lor any 



reigning monarch. Those who have only seen this 



long - legged, long - billed fisher sedately flapping 



117 



