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parts of Africa, where it is said to breed. It 
is common also in Java, but is not found in 
America. The first specimen obtained in Britain 
was a female, shot near Kingsbridge, in the end 
of October, 1805, and presented to Montague, 
who described it, and with whose collection it was 
transferred to the British Museum. The Buff- 
backed Heron is frequently observed in fields 
where there are cattle grazing. It feeds on 
insects. The eggs are of a pale blue colour. 
HERON, COMMON. 
ARDEA CINEREA, Selby. 
The Common Heron frequents the margins of 
rivers, pools, and lakes, as well as the shores of 
the inlets of the sea, where he may be often ob- 
served patiently watching for his prey. In such 
situations he may be seen slowly walking among 
the mud and weeds, or perched on a stone close to 
the water, reposing on one foot, with his neck bent 
under the shoulders, sometimes remaining motion- 
less for hours, until a fish or frog or other object 
attracts his notice, or he is roused by the appre- 
hension of danger. The flight of the Heron, 
though seemingly heavy, is buoyant, and in moving 
to a distance it generally flies high, with its head 
between the shoulders, and the legs stretched out. 
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