140 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



having, singularly enougli, been captured tlie previous 

 year by Mr. Newcome, was released on tbe last occasion 

 with three rings on its legs. 



I can certainly confirm, from personal observation, 

 the statement of Mr. Knox,^ that the parental duties 

 of the heron " so far from being relaxed after sunset 

 appear to be redoubled during the night," as I have heard 

 them at all hours when spending a night on the broads in 

 the early summer, and have started them one after the 

 other from the water's edge with the earliest dawn of 

 morning. Judging from those I have seen at Earlham, 

 the young appear to remain very late in the nests, 

 but after they leave their homes and before they acquire 

 the full power of flight, they are fed on the ground 

 by the old birds, and when thus collected in little groups 

 are extremely picturesque. As soon, however, as they 

 are able to forage for themselves, they disperse over the 

 surrounding marshes, and many fall victims to the 

 marsh gunners, being then but little suspicious of 

 danger, after the protection hitherto afforded them. 

 JBy the middle of July young herons, in parties of eight 

 or ten together, may be seen fishing in the marsh 

 " dykes " about Coldham-Hall, not unfrequently within 

 shot from the river ; and the shallow waters of Sur- 

 linerham and Rockland broads are a constant resort. 



In autumn they visit the inland Meres to feast on 

 the eels which abound in those waters, and are then too 

 frequently shot by the keepers ; but at Scoulton, they 

 would be far better encouraged than destroyed, inasmuch 

 as the eels (as I shall hereafter have occasion to show) are 

 destructive to the young of the black-headed gulls. I 

 never remember to have crossed Breydon winter or sum- 

 mer, at low water, without seeing one or more herons on 



* " Ornithological Eambles in Sussex." By A. E. Knox, M.A., 

 F.L.S., &c., 8rd ed. p. 34. 



