128 THE BIRDS OF DORSET. 



harbour. If one is seen wending its way up one of 

 the channels of the inner water, it is a doomed bird, 

 having probably suffered some severe injury from 

 shot or other accident. Once only have I observed 

 a Gannet come in past the harbour-mouth ; two days 

 afterwards it was picked up dead, having been washed 

 ashore just above the Poole battery. Several others 

 succumbed to the south-west gales, and were driven 

 on to the Studland shore." 



ORDER HERODIONES. 



FAM. ARDEHLE. 



COMMON HEKON. Ardea cinerea, L. 



Yarrell, iv. p. 162; Harting, p. 55 ; Dresser, vi. p. 207; See- 

 bohm, ii. p. 468; Ibis List, p. 107 ; Major <, Cinerea $, 

 Pultene]fs List, p. 13. 



The only heronries in the county are at Bryanston, 

 Crichel, and St. Giles. The heronry on Branksea 

 Island has been broken up for some years, 1 but there 

 is a large one on the Arne estate overlooking Ware- 

 ham Bay. A few pairs also have nested in Goatham 

 Wood on the Rempstone property. Some years ago 

 a pair of Herons began to build in Whatcombe 

 plantations, but were persecuted by the Rooks. There 

 are also two or three nests every year in a plantation 

 on Duddle Farm, Fordington. On the Arne Heath, 

 a secluded spot, they often collect in great numbers, 

 and remain motionless for hours together on the 



1 See The Field Naturalist's Magazine, 1834, p. 194. 



