144 HERON. 



* 



Other at Letton Court. The Woolhope Club visited the Heronry 



situated on the island on the large pool in Berrington Park, on 



June 9, 1884, and found, that there were from fifteen to twenty 



nests on some tall larch, fir, and beech trees. The foliage on 



the trees prevented the possibility of counting the nests, but the 



keeper stated, that he counted forty Herons on their return in the 



spring, after their usual winter absence to their wood-surrounded 



pool — 



Old woods whose reverend echoes wake, 

 When the Heron screams along the distant lake. 



UoQ^m— Captivity. 



The other small Heronry is situated on the horse-shoe 

 bend of the river Wye at Letton, where there have been two 

 or three nests, for some years, built on some spruce fir trees. 

 Last year (1884), and this year (1885), the keeper states that five 

 families have nested there. It is a most interesting sight to watch 

 the birds on their nests, with the aid of a telescope, from the 

 drawing-room at Letton Court. Here, too, the Rooks have invaded 

 the trees, and the usual squabbles between the birds occur every 

 spring. It is to be feared, as has often happened elsewhere, that 

 in the end the Herons will be driven away. At Letton, however, 

 last year (1884), the keeper states that no less than sixteen young 

 birds were reared there. It is pleasant to know that both Lord 

 Rodney, and the Rev. Henry Blisset, are anxious to protect their 

 Heronries ; and it is hoped, that the required licence to carry a 

 gun, will also tend to save them from destruction. 



The Partridge loves the fruitful fells ; 



The Plover loves the mountains ; 

 The Woodcock haunts the lonely dells ; 



The soaring Hern the fountains. 



BvRNB—Song. 



In the wide, rush-grown pool, upon the lands, 

 Like a dark soul that some forgotten crime 

 Has struck to hopeless gloom, a Heron stands, 

 A silent shadow, grey and gaunt as Time. 



D. W. R. 



Waterfowl are always restless before rain and wind, as 

 Virgil has noted ; (Georg. i., 368), and he specially mentions 

 the Heron. 



