

COMMON HERON. 125 



solitary islet in some Highland loch; and they 

 are sometimes also seen upon precipitous rocks, 

 South Stack Lighthouse, and Great Ormes Head, 

 &c.* Of their breeding- on the ground we have 

 the fact stated, but we cannot trace it to any thing 

 authentic. 



Except during the breeding season, the abodes of 

 the Heron are by the banks of streams and rivers, 

 or along the sides of lakes and their islands, fenny 

 districts, and, in the late parts of autumn and 

 winter, by the sea shore ; in the latter situations, 

 they may be seen taking their station so soon as 

 the shoals begin to be uncovered by the ebbing of 

 the tide ; and, when satiated with feeding, rows of 

 birds may be observed on some retired sand bank, 

 their head sunk between their shoulders, exhibit- 

 ing a picture of full-fed laziness. They appear at 

 this time to be partly gregarious, and to resort, day 

 after day, nearly to the same stations. In inland 

 parts they occasionally rest during the day, and 

 roost upon trees. Their food is very mixed, though 

 the great proportion consists of creatures inhabiting 

 or frequenting the waters, fish of all accessible 

 kinds, and aquatic reptiles ; but, when motion is 

 perceived in the water, or herbage by the brink, 

 the attention is drawn to it, and a stroke is made 

 at the object, though imperfectly seen ; thus, 

 water rats or mice, young aquatic birds, and now 

 and then a water-hen or rail, are killed. In con- 

 finement, any kind of fish or raw meat will be 

 * Eyton. 



