234 THE HERON AND HERONRIES 
HERONRIES. 
CHESHIRE. 
EATON, NEAR CHESTER 
(The Seat of His Grace the Duke of Westminster, K.G.) 
This is the largest of our Heronries, and is situate in the 
‘“ Duck-wood ” near the Hall. It consists of between forty and 
fifty nests, nearly all of which are built in the tops of very tall 
willow trees. Some nests are quite isolated, others are in 
groups of various numbers. In eight trees I counted twenty- 
one nests, but owing to the numerous and intricate ditches 
which traverse the whole of the wood like the paths of a 
labyrinth, one has to be satisfied with exploring one-half of its 
dimensions: especially in wet seasons. On one occasion 
when visiting this Heronry the ditches had overflowed their 
banks to such an extent that the only means of getting from 
place to place, was by laying a ladder over the large pools of 
water. But for all this, there is a charm about this wood I 
cannot well explain. Here, until a few years ago, might be 
heard the boom of the Bittern; and the Teal, Wild Duck, 
Great-spotted Woodpecker, and other interesting birds, still 
find a secluded spot wherein to rear their young; and in season 
the luxuriant growth of the Iris and Purple Loosestrife, also 
give enchantment to the spot. The life-history of the Heron, 
preserved in our Museum, was taken from this Heronry, by 
kind permission of His Grace THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER, 
and now forms one of the most attractive objects in the 
collection. 
When taking the nest and young, one of the birds flew away 
into an adjoining tree, and when dislodged it came down in an 
almost perpendicular direction. Intervening between it and 
the ground there was a small branch, upon which the bird tried 
to alight ; failing this, it hooked its long beak over the branch 
and tried to gain a foot-hold. but was unable to do so. I 
thought it very remarkable that the bird should be able to hang 
on to an object by simply placing its closed beak on the 
branch, but such was the case, and as I kept the birds for 
many days after as living models, I was much interested to see 
them on several occasions use their beaks for supporting their 
bodies, in situations where it was difficult to get a foot-hold. 
Mr. ALDERMAN CHARLES Brown tells me that there used 
to be a Heronry at ‘“‘ Heron Bridge,” and that on either side 
of the River Dee at that point there were two very large willow 
trees whose branches mef/, and formed (as it were) a natural 
bridge ; and says that it is from this fact that the place derives 
its name. I am also informed that the Herons built at Eaton 
after leaving “Heron Bridge.” I should be glad of further 
information with regard to this. 
