40 AT A HERONRY NEAR LONDON 
creased in length, on the birds for many months, 
but change to a blue colour. Ted’s young 
heron, when approached, erected them at the 
least sign of alarm, or even astonishment ; at 
every passing thought as it were in the bird’s 
brain there was a movement in the crest, 
and if very frightened they stood up quite 
straight. This erection of the crest in birds 
seems to be akin, I think, to the frowning of 
human beings or the lifting of the muscles 
of the forehead, expressive of astonishment or 
fear. The general colour of the wings of the 
heron is slate-grey, as is well seen when they 
are folded, but the chief plumes are black. 
These stand out plainly when seen from be- 
low, asothey dly=— Theta 1s) eney.. | Eirom 
the neck many long, loose, dark slate coloured 
feathers hang down in front of the body, called 
the “ plume:s; J Whey sare] not. acquired yan. 
the third-year. ~ What.suse* tiave silieces 
or are they only ornamental? The under 
parts and thighs are greyish-white, the long 
legs (which are slender) and toes are greenish- 
yellow. The male and female are much alike, 
