THE HERON. 183 
conclusion, that I penned down the remarks on its 
habits, after many very close and often repeated in- 
spections of the bird, during its winter residence 
amongst us. I fear, however, that we must be 
contented to remain in absolute ignorance of many 
_ important parts of its history, until some bold and 
hardy naturalist shall penetrate into those distant 
regions of the north, where this pretty bird, in 
company with myriads of other wild fowl, is sup- 
posed to pass the summer months in undisturbed 
security. 
NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE HERON. 
Or all the large wild birds which formerly were 
so common in this part of Yorkshire, the heron 
alone can now be seen. The kite, the buzzard, and 
the raven have been exterminated long ago by our 
merciless gamekeepers. Ignorant of the real habits 
of birds, and ever bent on slaughter, these men ex- 
ercise their baneful calling with a severity almost 
past belief. No sooner have they received from go- 
vernment their shooting license, than out they go 
with the gun, and, under one pretext or other, they 
kill almost every bird which comes in their way. 
Our game laws are at the bottom of all this mis- 
chief. 
— “ T]lis, non sevior ulla 
Pestis, et ira Deim, Stygiis sese extulit undis.” 
N 4 
