HERON. 



HERON. 



HERN. HERONSHAW. HERONSEWGH. 

 COMMON HERON. CRESTED HERON. 



PLATE CLVni. FIGURE I. 



Ardea cinerea, LATHAM. SHAW. 



Ardea major, LINN^US. 



Ardea cristata, BRISSON. 



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. 



