HERON. 141 



The Heron is not infrequent in the more secluded parts of 

 our Herefordshire brooks and rivers ; a companion, and rival to the 

 solitary angler. The Heron is a stately, graceful bird, and as he 

 stands motionless in shallow water, with his attention riveted on 

 the stream, and his beak pointed towards it, ready to seize his prey 

 the instant it appears, he forms a most beautiful and picturesque 

 object in the landscape, and one the artist delights to introduce on 

 his canvas. 



Stock-still upon that stone, from day to day, 



I see thee watch the river for thy prey. 



— Yes, I'm the tyrant there ; but when T rise. 



The well-trained Falcon braves me in the skies ; 



Then comes the tug of war, of strength and skill ; 



He dies, impaled on my up-darted bill ; 



Or, powerless in his grasp, my doom I meet ; 



Dropt, as a trophy, at his master's feet. 



M.o'STGOMEnY— Birds. 



The Heron was formerly considered royal game. It was 

 encouraged for the ancient sport of falconry, and was protected by 

 severe penal statutes. 



So lords, with sport of stag and and Heron full. 

 Sometimes we see. 



Sidney. 



Anyone who presumed to take or destroy its eggs, incurred a 

 penalty of twenty shillings, a very heavy penalty in those days. 

 By a statute of Henry VHI. the taking of Herons, except by 

 hawking or the long bow, was prohibited under the penalty of half 

 a mark, and the theft of a young bird from the nest was ten 

 shillings. It was then a favourite dish for the table, not less 

 esteemed than the Bustard or the Peacock. 



The Heron has now been left, for many years past, to depend 

 for safety on its own sagacity. In winter, when it is more solitary, 

 it is wary, shy, and watchful against danger ; but at the breeding 

 season, the birds can be much more readily approached, and their 

 rapidly diminishing numbers are doubtless due to their slaughter 

 at this time. Cheap guns and gunpowder have been very fatal to 

 Herons. A wounded Heron is a dangerous bird to approach. 

 With his long neck and sharp beak, he can quickly strike a 

 dangerous blow, and as he aims at the eyes, if the stroke is not 



