The Heron-like Birds. 



155 



grass and leaves, and sometimes consists only of the bird's grey down. The eggs 

 are from six to nine, or more, in number ; they are of an olive stone-colour or 

 creamy-buff, and measure from two-and-a-half to two-and-three-quarter inches 

 in length. 



The Heron-like Birds.— Ora'tr Ardeiformes. 



THE 

 PURPLE HERON. 



(Phoyx purpurea.) 

 (See p. 156.) 



These birds are remarkable for their long legs, and differ from the allied families in 



many anatomical characters. The Order is represented in Great Britain b}' the 



Herons and Storks. The Herons have the hind-toe on the same level as the other 



toes, and the middle toe has a comb-like ridge on the claw. 



The Purple Herons have longer toes than the other members 

 of the family Ardeida-, especially the middle toe, which is 

 equal to the tarsus in length, and the hind-claw is particularly 

 strong and nearly straight, with a very slight curve. The 

 present species has frequently occurred in Great Britain, at least 



fifty times, only one of the occurrences having been recorded from Ireland. It is 



found nesting throughout the greater part 



of Central and Southern Europe, as well 



as in Africa and Central Asia. It is a shy 



bird and skulks among the reed-beds 



which form its home, instead of taking 



flight like other Herons. The nest is 



made of reeds, and is placed at no great 



height from the surface of the water in a 



reed-bed. The eggs are from three to five 



in number, and are of a greenish-blue 



colour, measuring about two or two-and-a- 



quarter inches in length. 



As in the genus 

 Plioyx ,\.hc tail-feathers 

 are twelve in number 

 in the Common Heron ; 



the bill has saw-like edges or serrations. 



The grey colour, with the white crown and 



the long black central feathers of the throat 



and chest easily distinguish the species. 



The nestlings, which remain for a long The Common Heron. 



THE COMMON 

 HERON. 



{.Ardea cinerea.) 



