Purple Herons 97 
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down, upon which a mass of rushes brought in from around forms 
a superstructure. The cup or depression is usually lined with dried 
reeds and is raised from 12 to 30 in. above water-level. The eggs 
NEST OF PURPLE HERON, 
are from three to five in number and of the well-known delicate 
pale blue of the Common Heron's. Once I found a nest with seven 
eggs in it, but probably this was a joint-stock establishment. Fre 
quently nests will be found with only one or two hard-set eggs. 
7 
