THE COMMON HERON. 69 



herons are gregarious in their nest-building ; they 

 select trees near a stream or piece of \\ater, and they 

 like to build in the same locality year after year. 

 Their nests are large and flat, composed of sticks, and 

 covered with rushes or long, dried grass ; they lay from 

 four to six eggs, about the size of those of a duck. 

 They are apt to settle on the tops of the trees in 

 which their nests are during the day, and now and then 

 stretch their long necks and spread their wings like the 

 indolent among mankind, who yawn and stretch them- 

 selves through lassitude or idleness. This is the habit 

 of the birds in fine weather ; when the sky threatens 

 rain and the storm lours, they are more active, watching 

 after a flood of rain for the fish which may have been 

 washed down by the torrent. Their bills are sharp, and 

 are furnished with rows of barbs or small teeth, which 

 enable them to hold fast any prey they may have 

 caught, even if slippery as an eel. They are so skilful 

 as anglers that in one hour they will catch more small 

 fry than could be done in a much longer space by 

 any human angler of ordinary skill. They injure 

 many fish, which they do not catch, by the sharpness 

 and power of their bills. It is commonly reported 

 that small eels pass through the heron undigested, and 

 that it may thus swallow the same fish more than 

 once , this is not however the case, but unless the bird 

 kills the eel at once by laying hold of its head or gills, 

 it carries the eel to the ground, and setting its foot 

 upon the wriggling fish, soon squeezes its different 

 parts by its powerful beak, and swallows down what 

 to the bird is a delicious meal. The male feeds its 

 mate, as well as helps to feed the young during incuba- 



