OF CHESHIRE AND NORTH WALES. 237 
reason I give is that farmers shoot a great many at pits on the 
farms; there are now six or ten on the Mere. I sometimes see 
young ones, but there are no Heronries around here that I 
know of.” 
I think it will not be out of place to notify that Herons, as a 
rule, rarely fish near their breeding places. The Herons at Eaton 
fly miles in search of food, although plenty can be had at home. 
ARLEY HALL 
(The Seat of E. R. Warburton, Esq.) 
On the eastern side of the mansion there is a large piece of 
water, near which this Heronry existed some forty years ago. 
Mr. P. Brown writes me (January 21st, 1889), that ‘the 
Herons ceased to build here about 45 years ago; people that 
lived here then tell me the rooks drove them away at nesting 
time.” 
DunHAM MASSEY, NEAR ALTRINCHAM 
(Zhe Seat of Lord Stamford.) 
Mr. Hartine (l.c.) gives a record of this Heronry, but does 
not state whether existing or not. Ormerod (l.c., Vol. i., p. 533) 
Says :—‘‘ Forty or fifty years ago there was a Heronry here, 
built in some high trees near to some water with an island in 
it, called Dunham Pool. The birds appear to have abandoned 
‘the place in consequence of persecution and some of the trees 
having been blown down.” At the present day its existence 
seems quite forgotten, as I have both written and visited the 
locality without being able to hear the slightest trace of its 
existence from the inhabitants. 
INCE 
(The Seat of Captain Park Yates.) 
In the Marsh Plantation a few years ago, Herons used to 
build their nests in some tall oak trees. This plantation is 
still a favourite resort of the Heron, as is also another similar 
wood at Stanlow. I have seen scores of Herons congregated 
here in autumn; and odd specimens all the year round frequent 
these places, but they do not build there now, which is 
singular, as the locality seems a very suitable one. 
ASTON, NEAR FRODSHAM. 
This Heronry is situate in the wood adjoining the Hall, and 
was established about forty years ago by a single pair of 
Herons who built their nest in an ash tree near tue Rookery. 
The late Mr. HENRY LINAKER told me, in 1888, that there were 
then about a dozen nests. He also informed me that the 
rooks and the Herons had many battles, apparently through 
the latter encroaching upon the Rookery. The rooks, how- 
ever, managed to keep their adversaries at a respectful 
distance, and always came off victorious. 
H2 
