CROWS AND ROOKS. 



191 



curious story is in some degree corroborated by the opinion of 

 old writers, one of whom, in describing the migration of these 

 birds in the eastern countries, says, that when they go away, 

 the Stork that comes last to the place of rendezvous is killed 

 on the spot by the others.* 



At Dunham, near Altrincham, in Cheshire, the seat of the 

 Earl of Stamford, there is a heronry, which has existed for many 

 years. It once happened about the latter end of March, or 

 beginning of April, that a gentleman, riding along the turn- 

 pike-road, saw, in a small field, about a mile from the trees 

 where the birds breed, about thirty-five or forty standing on 

 the ground, and occasionally moving slowly in various direc- 

 tions. At first he was uncertain what birds they were, as 



Assemblage of Herons. 



their heads were thrown back, and they appeared little raised 

 from the ground ; but on approaching the spot, he was soon 

 satisfied that they were Herons. His presence, however, had 

 no other effect (though in general they are remarkably shy and 

 cautious) than inducing those nearest the hedge, where he had 

 * Bellonius. 



