334 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
which fall over its shoulders like a plume, whilst those in front, which 
are narrow and pendent, resemble a kind of beard surrounding the 
base of the neck. 
These Birds lead a semi-nocturnal life, and frequent the margins - 
of lakes, marshes, and rivers, where they feed on reptiles, frogs, and 
fish. They are generally of a shy nature, selecting for their roost the 
most unfrequented portions of extensive woodlands. When in pursuit 
of their prey, they go into the water until it reaches half-way up 
their legs, and with the neck doubled down over the breast, and the 
head buried between the shoulders, remain immovable as statues 
till a fish comes within reach of them, when they suddenly shoot 
out their necks, as if impelled by a spring, and, with a sharp move- 
ment of the bill, impale the unfortunate victim. When their fishing 
is not productive they dig into the mud with their feet, to unkennel 
frogs and other reptiles tha: are concealed in it. If compelled by 
hunger, they will attack rats, wood and field mice, and if further 
pressed they show no repugnance to carrion. They can, however, 
endure abstinence for a considerable time. 
Most of the Herons are endowed with great powers of flight. 
When compelled by unusually severe weather, they occasionally 
migrate, the young and the old travelling separate’y. Nevertheless, 
as they can accommodate themselves to almost any temperature, 
some species are stationary, and they are to be met with all the year 
round in countries the most dissimilar. 
The principal species of Herons are the Common Heron, the 
Egret, the *Purple Heron, the Bittern, the Night Heron, and the 
Nankeen Heron. 
Every one knows the Common Heron (Ardea cinerea, Fig. 132), 
at least by reputation, if only from La Fontaine’s verse :— 
‘* Heron with the long bill, fit handle of a longer neck.” 
Its height is about forty inches, and it is found in nearly all parts of 
the globe. It is the most numerous species in France, and is the 
only one which builds, lays, and rears their young in company. 
The place selected for this community is generally a clump of lofty 
trees in the neighbourhood of a lake or river; on the summits of 
which, or in the angles formed by the branches, the Herons build 
their nests, which are of very simple construction—a few boughs 
interwoven together with smaller twigs, and without any such luxu- 
rious ad:litions as smaller birds love to add. In these nests the 
females lay three or four eggs, and the males share with them the 
