IIEKOX IIAWKIXG. 205 



one in the parish of Craigie, near Kihiiamock, in Ayi-- 

 shire." Small heronries may be found in many parts of 

 the United Kingdom ; for few birds are more gene- 

 rally diffused, more especially where there are large 

 rivers, lakes, and swampy morasses, in which they are 

 able to obtain an ample supply of the food congenial 

 to their palate. In former times the herons were 

 strictly protected by government, and legal enactments 

 were made for this object; but those times are gone by. 

 However, a relentless war is not waged against them, 

 as is the case with the unfortunate hawks ; for al- 

 though they are great poachers in rivers and pools, they 

 cannot be accused of destroying game. Taking young 

 herons from their nest was pimished by a fine of ten 

 shillings (a considerable sum in former times) ; and to 

 kill a heron, an additional fine of twenty shillings was 

 paid by the offender. 



The daily visitations of the heron to its feeding-places 

 are watched by the falconers, who station themselves to 

 the leeward, or down wind, of the heronry, so that the 

 heron, on its return, must fly against the breeze, which 

 gives a great advantage to its enemy. As soon as one 

 is seen on its return, a cast of falcons is let loose, who, 

 catching sight of the quarry, rise in pursuit. The heron, 

 instinctively aware that its life is at stake, prepares for 

 the fray by disgorging the contents of its stomach, to 

 lighten the weight of the body. The coursing falcons 

 ascend the airy vault by spiral g}a'ations, by which the 

 atmosiDheric resistance to their flight is lessened. These 

 circliugs, it has been observed, have sometimes the 

 curious effect of presenting the three birds flying in 

 different directions ; whereas the object of the two 

 hawks are steadily directed to getting above the quarry. 



