52 



Bird Notes and News 



PERSECUTION OF THE HERON. 



The Rev. E. T. Daubeny writes from 

 Southacre, Swaffham : — 



A newspaper cutting has been sent to me 

 containing an account of a meeting of a 

 Board of Conservators* which gives food 

 for thought to those Nature lovers who 

 strive, against fearful odds, to save our 

 British fauna from ruthless persecution. 

 Some wondrous questions were asked at this 

 meeting ; one conservator, who wanted to 

 know the difference between the Black- 

 headed Gull and Black-backed Gull, was told 

 by the Chairman that he did not know, but 

 thought they were " one and the same 

 bird " ! ! ! Another asked if the *' Heron 

 was the same as the Crane ? " This is but 

 a sample of the qualification of many 

 similar boards throughout the country who 

 pass judgment in such matters. 



The Superintendent's report contained the 

 gratifying statement that the fishing was 

 " satisfactory," that there was a splendid 

 run of salmon, and that the rivers are 

 well supplied and good sport is now being 

 enjoyed by anglers. In face of this one of 

 the members of the board complained that 

 herons were exterminating the trout in the 

 streams, . . . and simply took all the fish." 

 Which is to be believed ? The Superin- 

 tendent then stated that " Herons had in- 

 creased tremendously during the last two 

 years," and suggested that some reward 

 might be offered for their " extermination." 

 It is to be feared that the board will act upon 

 his recommendation, for the " question was 

 whether they were going to protect the fish 

 for those who paid licences, or protect the 

 herons for the members who hked to see 

 beautiful birds flying about." It was also 

 * Carmarthen Board of Coiiserv^ators. — Ed. 



asked " whether it was not a fact that the 

 Heron when fishing always chose shallow 

 water ? " and the Superintendent's answer 

 was, " very rapid flowng water," a query 

 and reply devoid of ordinary observation. 

 The Superintendent's statement that " the 

 Herons had increased tremendously during 

 the last two years " is open to serious ques- 

 tion. It is contrary to general experience, 

 and to my own lengthy and intimate 

 acquaintance with these noble birds. For 

 twenty years I lived close to a large and 

 carefully preserved heronry (one hundred 

 nests or so), whose numbers Avere practically 

 stationary. The same was to be noted when 

 I lived on the south coast. Here they are 

 to be seen every day within a few hundred 

 yards of my house ; there are noAv about 

 half as many as there were ten or twelve 

 years ago. Herons are not given to sudden 

 change of quarters ; nor do they suddenly 

 turn up by the dozen or hundred in places 

 pre\dously unfrequented by them. 



Now supposing that the Board had merety 

 given a quiet hint that the birds must not 

 be allowed to increase too rapidly, bird- 

 lovers might not have greatly heeded, but 

 when a man evidently in authority re<;om- 

 mends the offer of rewards for the purpose 

 of " exterminating " them, it seems time to 

 speak. 



In pleading for mercy on the Heron, 

 nothing is to be gained, and much may be 

 lost, by attempting to deny that he is a 

 fish eater, but his diet is by no means 

 confined to fish. It extends to frogs, rats, 

 mice, lizards, newts, and other small animals 

 that come within his reach. When in search 

 of food he is to be seen in the middle of a 

 rapid stream, on the banks of a pond, or 

 against the reeds in a stagnant ditch. He 

 often wades in sea water, and allows the 



