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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. 



AKDEA 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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