COMMON HERON. 445 



tlie two outer united by a membrane ; one toe behind, directed inwards : claws 

 long, compressed, sharp, the middle claw denticulated on the inside. Wings 

 of moderate size ; the first quill-feather a little shorter than the second or third, 

 which are the longest in the wing. 



The Common Heron is one of the most numerous, as 

 well as the best known, of the group of truly wading birds 

 now under consideration ; and formerly, in the palmy days of 

 falconry, the places where they bred were almost held sacred ; 

 the bird was considered royal game, and penal statutes were 

 enacted for its preservation. Now, however, the Heron is 

 disregarded, and left to depend on its own sagacity for its safety. 

 During winter the Heron is watchful, shy, and solitary, sel- 

 dom more than one being seen at the same time or place ; 

 but early in spring numbers are seen together, resorting to a 

 favourite wood, which they have probably occupied during 

 their breeding season for years in succession. At this time 

 of the year they resemble the Rooks in many of their habits, 

 building like those well-known birds on high trees, generally 

 upon large oaks or tall firs, and in such numbers do they 

 associate, that Pennant mentions having himself counted 

 more than eighty nests upon one oak at Cressy Hall, near 

 Spalding in Lincolnshire, — an estate then belonging to the 

 Heron family, one of the most ancient in this country. 

 Sometimes Herons build on precipitous rocks near the coast, 

 as at South Stack Lighthouse, near Holyhead, mentioned 

 by Mr. Eyton, and at the Great Orme's Head ; they are said 

 also to build occasionally on the ground, among reeds and 

 rushes. The nest is of large size, having much the appear- 

 ance of that of the Rook, but rather broader ; it is formed of 

 sticks, and lined with wool. The female lays four or five 

 eggs, of a uniform sea green colour, two inches three lines in 

 length, by one inch nine lines in breadth, and incubation 

 lasts about twenty-eight days. When the young are hatched, 

 both parents assist in providing them with food until they are 



