COMMON HERON. 389 



informs me that, in 1882, he received information that several 

 pairs remained all the summer at Randy Mere, Goathland, 

 and in July of that year he saw four birds ; but a few years 

 afterwards the trees were cut down, and he concluded the 

 birds left. 



Sedbergh. A few pairs used to nest at Ingmire Hall, 

 Mrs. Dormer's, up to 1880 (W. Morris MS.). 



Swinton Park, Masham, Lord Masham's. Mr. Forbes, 

 forester, informed me that three pairs nested in larch trees 

 in the Druid's Wood in 1900 and 1901, but, for some unex- 

 plained cause, they deserted in 1902. 



According to the information supplied by my correspon- 

 dents there is not at present any Heronry of importance in 

 the North Riding ; a small colony consisting of three pairs is 

 established on the late Mr. Rutson's estate at Newby Wiske, 

 and odd pairs nest sparingly in one or two other localities. In 

 1900 and the two succeeding years a pair bred in the Rookery in 

 Wensleydale, between Carperby and Thornton Rust, but were 

 disturbed by the Rook-shooting and deserted the place. In 

 1903 a brood was reared in the Lord's Wood at Bolton Park. 

 In Arkengarthdale, and at Rutherford Bridge on the Greta, 

 there have also been occasional nests, as well as in Liverton 

 and Crinkle Woods, near Loftus-in-Cleveland, and at Mulgrave, 

 near Whitby, 



As migrants from the Continent, Herons are frequently 

 observed in the autumn in the neighbourhood of the coast ; 

 I have annually watched the birds crossing the sea from the 

 east, flying high in the air and slowly winging their way 

 landwards. Occasionally they may be noticed sitting on the 

 " Scars " a mile from shore, near Redcar. 



Nidification sometimes begins very early. Eggs have 

 been seen in the second week in February, and young were 

 hatched on the 20th of that month in 1898. 



Charles Waterton recorded the fact of having seen Herons 

 alight in deep water at Walton Park and swim like Water- 

 Hens. He also observed them hovering like Terns over shoals 

 of fish. 



A curious incident, illustrating the voracity of this bird, 



