140 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 
having, singularly enough, been captured the previous 
year by Mr. Newcome, was released on the 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. 
By 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- 
lingham 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 Rambles in Sussex.” By A. EH. Knox, M.A., 
F.L.S., &c., 3rd ed. p. 34. 
