THE HERON 
ARDEA CINEREA 
LocaL names in surrounding counties: ‘* Frank,” 
‘*Pnamk ‘Ehernr’’) (issex)) tt Phernsham.7 
Status nN British Avirauna: A widely distributed 
yet local resident. 
RapiaL DisTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Pauu’s: ‘There are few other cities in the British Islands 
that can claim the Heron as a breeding species in their 
immediate suburbs. In the Metropolitan area there are 
at least three flourishing heronries within eleven miles 
of the Cathedral, one of them within seven miles. ‘The 
latter is at Wanstead, and is the most extensive of the 
three. ‘This is within reach of a tram-ride from the 
city “Phere is “another gnd! 2 "smaller colony Wan tue 
Sidmouth Plantation in Richmond Park, little more 
than a *bus-ride from the Bank of England; whilst a 
third colony exists in Osterley Park, an area of easy access 
from all parts of the Metropolis. ‘Taking these facts into 
consideration, the appearance of the Heron in some of 
the more central districts is by no means remarkable. 
The bird is occasionally seen in Battersea Park, and regu- 
larly feeds in Kensington Gardens and down the river to 
Hammersmith and Barnes. It also frequents many of the 
brooks, reservoirs, and ornamental waters in suburban 
localities right round the Metropolis. On occasion it may 
be seen in powerful swinging flight, crossing over the vast 
City from one favourite haunt to another, usually towards 
evening. 
Strange as the fact may seem, there are many country 
places where the Heron is seldom seen, and still more 
where it is never known to breed; yet the bird is fairly 
common within the Metropolitan area, and may be 
watched at its nest within half an hour’s ride of town 
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