HERON 



417 



throughout the whole of Europe, Africa, and Asia, reaching Japan, 

 many of the isLands of the Indian Archipelago, and even Australia. 

 Though not so numerous as formerly in Britain, it is still common 

 enough to render a description of it almost unnecessary, and there 

 must be few persons who have not seen it rising slowly from some 

 river-side or marshy flat, or passing overhead in its lofty and 

 leisurely flight on its way to or from its daily haunts ; while they 

 are many who have been entertained by watching it as it sought 

 its food, consisting chiefly of fishes (especially eels and flounders) 



Heron (^AnUa cinerca). 



and amphibians — though young birds and small mammals come 

 not amiss — wading midleg in the shallows, swimming ^ occasionally 

 when out of its depth, or standing motionless to strike its prey 

 with its formidable and sure beak. When sufficiently numerous it 

 breeds in societies, known as Heronries, which of old time were 

 protected both by law and custom in nearly all European countries, 

 on account of the sport their tenants afforded to the falconer. Of 

 late years, partly owing to the withdrawal of the protection they 



^ The mediseval belief, expressed in the line, quoted by Rolland {Fatcne i^op. 

 Fr. ii. p. 373), 



Ardea culpat aquas quia nescit iiare per ilks, 



is unfounded, as many observers can testify. 



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