HERON 



HERN HERONSHAW HERONSEWGH COMMON HERON- 

 CRESTED HERON. 



PLATE CLVIII. FIGURE I. 



Ardea cinerea t LINNAEUS. 



Ardfa cristata, BRISSON. 



THE Heron builds usually in high trees, sometimes on 

 precipitous sea-cliffs covered with shrubs, preferring 

 situations in the vicinity of water. Many nests are often 

 placed together constituting what is termed a heronry. Pre- 

 parations for nesting are made about the month of April. 

 The nests are placed near the summit of the tree. 

 They are flat in shape, in some cases much larger than in 

 others, probably from an old nest being built on. They 

 are made of sticks and twigs, and have a lining of wool 

 or hair, rushes, dry grasses, water-flags, straws, or any soft 

 materials. 



The eggs are generally three in number, sometimes 

 four or five, of a uniform bluish green colour. 



Only one brood is reared in the season. Both parents 

 assist in the work of providing the young with food : the 

 male also feeds the female while sitting. If alarmed for 

 their young, they soar about over the nests. 



