HEUON. 



HERN. HERONSHAW. HERONSEWGH. COMMON HERON. CKESTED HERON. 

 PLATE CLVIII. FIG. I. 



Ardea cinerea, LATHAM. SHAW. 



Ardea major, LnrarEUS. 



Ardea cristata, BRISSOX. 



THE Heron builds, according to circumstances, either on the ground, 

 in which situation Montagu saw several, or on trees of any sort; also, 

 it is said, on cliffs, preferring situations in the vicinity of water. Many 

 nests are often placed on it together as many as eighty have been 

 counted in one tree. Preparations for nidification are made about the 

 month of April. The nest is placed on the very summit of the tree, 

 or as close to it as the case will admit of, and also near the extremity 

 of the branch, the size of the bird not admitting of a ready passage 

 inwards. The nest, flat in shape, is rather small for the size of the 

 tenants that have to inhabit it, but in some cases is much larger than 

 in others, probably from an old one being built on. It is made of sticks 

 and twigs, and has a lining of wool or hair, rushes, dry grasses, water- 

 flags, straws, or any soft materials. 



The eggs are generally three in number, sometimes, it is said, four 

 or five, and of a green colour. They vary in shape, some being pointed 

 at both ends, and others only at the lower end. 



