226°. SYNOPSES (AND ALPHABETICAL iN DE XxX 
(including evergreens), low trees, or high hedges. Made 
of: Straw, roots, moss, wool, etc., and lined with hair 
and feathers. Second nests: Three or four nests each 
year. Eggs: White, faintly speckled purplish-red at 
larger end. Five or six (or even. seven). 
4. HERON 
(Pages 19-46) 
Ardea cinerea. Ardea, Lat., a heron; Gr., erodios ; 
Fr., hévon; Lat., cinereus, pertaining to ashes (from the 
general grey colour of the birds). Wading birds allied 
to the cranes, storks, etc. General description, size, 
and plumage: A tall, long-legged (wading) and long- 
beaked- bird: « Length’:) 36: inches. Bill::: ‘6 anehest 
Of a general slate-grey colour. Crest: Black (no crest 
till third year). Under parts : Greyish-white. Chief wing 
feathers: Black. Wings: Rounded at ends. Neck: 
White, a few long dark slate feathers (plume) hanging 
down in front (not acquired till the third year). Legs 
and toes: Greenish-yellow. Bill: Yellow. Has a slow 
measured flight (weight of adult bird, only 3 lbs. ; wings 
more than 4 feet across) with legs stretched out straight 
behind. Soars sometimes to a great height. Alights 
with difficulty on trees or nests. Male and female : 
Much alike (plume shorter in female and markings not 
so distinct nor so bright). Eye: Bold and piercing. 
