68 



BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



will not leave this last relic of our ancient avifauna 

 in peace. The reason, we think, that this bird has 

 survived as he has done is that in the Middle Ages 

 he was preserved religiously for that noble sport 

 falconry, whereas the other large species were still 

 destroyed ; though it is the last hundred years which 

 have exterminated our Raptores. 



heron's nest. 



June 2, 1902. Wales. 



But to return to our Heron. Down south his large 

 green eggs may be found by the third week in March 

 and sometimes earlier, but in Wales not till a fort- 

 night or more later. Usually lofty trees are chosen 

 for the nest, such as pines, larches, elms, and oaks ; 

 but we know of one Heronry built in very diminu- 

 tive and stunted oaks, but this is the exception. 



