244 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Marsh Birds Herons, Bitterns, and Rails. 



THE HERON (Ardea cinerea] is well known in 

 Ireland, and may be seen everywhere, by the lonely 

 mere or by the sea. Near the tide they are abun- 

 dant. All along the shore they stand knee-deep 

 fishing. Eight to ten is no unusual number to see 

 on the wing at one time. They nest freely and in 

 every suitable locality ; trees near the water, or at 

 no great distance, being most often chosen. They 

 will even build on the ground. Mr. Kinehan, an 

 observant naturalist, informed Mr. Ussher, of Cap- 

 pagh, that on an island in a lake, in Garomna 

 Island, off co. Galway, there exists a heronry of 

 fifty nests among Osmunda fern, on the ground, 

 and that there are no trees in the neighbourhood for 

 them to build in. This gentleman also notes a 

 somewhat similar case, a large rookery close to the 

 ground, on an island in a lake in the parish of 

 Tousist, north-east of Ardee village, co. Kerry. 

 The nests are built in low scrub bushes. It is a 

 common habit for Herons when on the eggs to 

 leave their legs hanging outside. Mr. Longfield, of 

 Bandon, informs me he constantly remarks the 

 Herons that build near his place, and says, " The old 

 birds often add to the nest after the young ones are 



