THE HERON 
itself. This is at Richmond Park; whilst there are some 
forty nests at Wanstead. Although the Heron breeds 
in societies like Rooks, the bird is by no means so gre- 
garious, and often wanders off alone to feed by itself. 
In some localities, however, several may be seen fishing 
in company. ‘The sight of this big bird winging its 
stately way across the sky so near to the great city is a 
cherished delight to the student of London bird-life, 
and one may hope that the Heron will eventually spread 
to other parts of the vast Metropolis. ‘The Heron seeks 
most of its food by the waterside or in swampy places. 
Here it may be seen standing motionless and watchful 
waiting to pounce upon some small fish or frog, or 
walking sedately about in quest of some lizard or small 
animal. It is one of the wariest of our native birds, 
conscious that its large size attracts notice, and hurries 
off the moment danger is detected, unfolding its broad 
wings and rising with mighty sweeps, its long legs raised 
up in a line with the head, which is held well between 
the shoulders. It often flies far to feed, and during the 
nesting season is a familiar object in the sky, passing to 
and from its nest. Its loud, trumpet-like call is heard 
most frequently during flight ; but at the nest especially, 
where the birds are somewhat quarrelsome, a series of 
grunting croaks may often be heard. ‘The Heron begins 
nesting near London almost as soon as the Rook, and the 
eggs are laid during March and April. ‘he same woods 
are used year by year, and the nests are built in close 
proximity. ‘The nest is a huge massed platform of sticks, 
often the accumulation of years, mixed with turf and 
moss as a sort of lining in some cases but not in all. 
The three to five eggs are greenish blue. When the 
trees are approached the big birds rise fluttering through 
the branches, and at a great height sail to and fro watching 
the fate of their homes. At Richmond the Herons may 
be watched standing on their nests or perched on the 
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