HERON. GRALLATORES. ARDEA. 11 



of l>oth sexes is similar, that of the male exhibiting only a 

 superior lustre, and pureness of tint. The young of many 

 species differ considerably from the mature birds, which has 

 led to much confusion, and sometimes an unnecessary multi- 

 plication of species. Their flight is heavy, with the neck re- 

 tracted, and resting between the shoulders ; and having the 

 legs extended behind, to preserve the balance of the body. 

 Their appetite is voracious, and their digestion powerful and 

 rapid. 



COMMON HERON. 



ARDEA CINEREA, Lath. 

 PLATE II. 



Ardea cinerea, Lath. Ind. Orn. 2. 691. 54. Shaw's Zool 11. 548 Wag. 



ler, Syst. Av. sp. 3.Flem. Br. Anim. 1. 95. 126. 

 Heron cendre', Temm. Man. d'Ornith. 2. 567- 

 Ardea major, Linn. Syst. 1. 23C. 12. Gmel Syst. 1. 627. sp. 12 Rati 



Syn. 98. A. 1. 



Ardea cristata, Sriss. 5. 396. 2. t. 35. 

 Le Heron huppe', Buff. Ois, 7- 342. PL Enl. 755. 

 Aschgrauer Itheiher, Meyer, Taschenb. Deut. 2. p. 332. 

 Ardea cinerea, Linn. 1. 236. 11 Briss. Orn. 5. 392. 1. \ Young of 

 Le Heron, Buff. Ois. 7. 342. pi. 19. j both sexes. 



Crested Heron, Albin. Br. Birds, 1. pi. 67. Low's Faun. Oread. 77. 

 Common Heron, Penn. Br. Zool. 2. No. 173. Arct. Zool. 2. No. 343 



Lath. Syn. 5. 83. 50 Mont. Ornith. Diet. Id. Sup Bewick's Br. 



Birds, 2. 37 Lewin's Br. Birds, 5. pi. 118 Shaw's Zool 11. 548 



Flem. Br. Anim. 1. 95. 



PROVINCIAL Heronseugh. 



NOTWITHSTANDING the Heron is now so little esteemed, 

 both by the epicure and the sportsman, there is no bird bet- 

 ter entitled to claim the protection of the admirers of nature 

 and picturesque scenery, from the striking effect its presence 

 can produce in the solitary haunts in which it delights, and Haunts, 

 where it is most commonly found. Its form, whether at rest 

 or upon the wing, is interesting, and well adapted to give 

 effect to the landscape, and for this reason it is frequently 

 introduced as a prominent feature in the productions of the 

 pencil. At an earlier period, however, when hawking was 



