HERON 417 
throughout the whole of Europe, Africa, and Asia, reaching Japan, 
many of the islands of the Indian Archipelago, and even Australia. 
Though not so numerous as formerly in Britain, it is still common 
enough to render a description of it almost unnecessary, and there 
must be few persons who have not seen it rising slowly from some 
river-side or marshy flat, or passing overhead in its lofty and 
leisurely flight on its way to or from its daily haunts ; while they 
are many who have been entertained by watching it as it sought 
z fo) 
its food, consisting chiefly of fishes (especially eels and flounders) 
SSUTTERWOR HE NEATH 
HERON (Ardea cinerea). 
and amphibians—though young birds and small mammals come 
not amiss—wading midleg in the shallows, swimming ! occasionally 
when out of its depth, or standing motionless to strike its prey 
with its formidable and sure beak. When sufficiently numerous it 
breeds in societies, known as Heronries, which of old time were 
protected both by law and custom in nearly all European countries, 
on account of the sport their tenants afforded to the falconer. Of 
late years, partly owing to the withdrawal of the protection they 
1 The medizval belief, expressed in the line, quoted by Rolland (Fawne pop. 
Fr. ii. p. 373), 
Ardea culpat aquas quia nescit nare per illas, 
is unfounded, as many observers can testify. 
27 
