The Common Heron 



THIS is a very easy feathered friend to 

 recognise. It is large in size, and 

 beats its wings at a slower rate than any 

 other British bird. 



Whilst in the air it is obliged to stretch 

 its long legs out behind and curve its giraffe- 

 like neck in order to balance itself. 



During the breeding season Herons con- 

 gregate in some wood or plantation, and 

 build their large nests of sticks, twigs, rootlets 

 and grass near the tops of the trees. 



They do not always breed in colonies, 

 for occasionally a solitary pair of birds may 

 be found nesting on a ledge in the face of 

 a sea cliff, or even upon the ground. Their 

 eggs number from three to five and are of a 

 pale greenish-blue colour. 



Baby Herons are covered with down. 

 That growing upon their heads is long and 

 shaggy, and makes them look like wee Skye 

 terriers. In cool weather they huddle to- 



H 49 



