12 GRALLATORES. ARDEA. HERON. 



held in great estimation, and was considered the appropriate 

 pastime of the gentry of the land, the Heron, from the ex- 

 cellent sport it afforded by its determined resistance to the 

 Falcon, was regarded as noble game, and penal statutes were 

 enacted for its protection ; and we find, that to have taken 

 its eggs alone subjected the offender to a mulct of twenty 

 shillings. As an article of luxury, its flesh was also in such 

 repute, as to be deemed little, if at all, inferior to that of the 

 Peacock, a bird whose rarity and costliness confined it to the 

 tables of the great. But indeed the low estimation in which 

 the flesh of the Heron is now held, would seem to be in a 

 great degree the effect of prejudice, or the fashion of taste, 

 as, under proper treatment and good cookery, the Heron, 

 when fat and in fine condition, is but little inferior to some 

 of our most approved wild fowl. In its habits it is soli- 

 tary, and being a bird of great timidity and watchfulness, is 

 not easily approached within gunshot. When seen, it is 

 usually standing immoveable in the shallows of rivers, or 

 pools of water, with its neck bent, and drawn between its 



Food. shoulders, watching attentively the motions of its finny prey, 

 upon which, when once within reach 9 it darts with unerring 

 aim, transfixing it by a single stroke of its sharp bill. Its 

 favourite food is fish, and its appetite being very voracious, 

 and the digestive powers exceedingly rapid, it sometimes com- 

 mits great depredations in fish-ponds, before the evil is dis- 

 covered. It also devours frogs and other reptiles, and even 

 young water-rats, mice, and other small Mammalia are swal- 

 lowed whole, and with great avidity. The geographical 

 distribution of the species is very extensive, and embraces 

 the greater part of the old world ; in some countries it is re- 

 gularly migratory, but it is a permanent resident in Britain. 

 About the beginning of March, Herons assemble together 

 previous to resorting to their respective breeding stations, or 

 Heronries, which are always in the loftiest trees the country 



Nest, &c. may happen to afford. Their nests are large and flat, and 

 many are frequently placed close together upon the same 



