HERON. GRALLATORES. ARDEA. 13 



tree ; they are built of sticks, and the interior lined with 

 wool and other soft materials. They lay four or five eggs, 

 of a bluish-green colour, but without lustre. The young, 

 when first hatched, are naked and very unsightly ; and it is 

 generally five or six weeks before they are so far fledged as 

 to be able to quit the nest, during which period they are 

 amply supplied with fish and other food by the parent birds, 

 they having frequently to roam to a great distance for it *. 

 When taken young, the Heron may be easily reared, and 

 rendered very tame, and, when domesticated, is a pleasing 

 addition to the other birds frequently kept in gentlemen's 

 grounds, though troublesome to maintain, on account of the 

 peculiarity of its food. But the old birds, when caught, 

 soon die, from obstinately refusing all nourishment. When 

 wounded by the sportsman, and not entirely disabled, the 

 Heron must be approached with caution, as it sets itself in a 

 menacing attitude, and makes a formidable defence, striking 

 directly at the eyes of the dog that unwarily attacks it (. 



PLATE 2. Represents a male bird of about two-thirds of the 



natural size. 



The forehead, crown, sides of the head, and throat, the General 

 ridge of the wings, the breast and belly, are pure 

 white. The sides, and back part of the neck, pale 

 grey. The front of the neck has a double row of ob- 

 long spots of greyish-black. The long plumes which 



* A curious account of a battle between a colony of Herons and a neigh- 

 bouring rookery is related by BEWICK, upon the authority of Dr HEY- 

 SHAM, to which I refer my reader. 



f From the following interesting anecdote, communicated by my worthy 

 friend P. NEILL, Esq. of Canonmills, near Edinburgh, it would seem, that, 

 under certain circumstances, and where favoured by situation, the Heron 

 is not disinclined to breed in a state of domestication. " The Common 

 Heron (a male), which was winged on Coldingham Muir in autumn 1821, 

 when a young bird, and given to me in 1822 by Mr JOHN WILSON of 

 the College, has since resided in my garden at Canonmills, and is now so 

 tame, that he often follows me, expecting a piece of cheese, which he 

 relishes. Four years ago Mr ALLAN of Lauriston sent me a young fe- 



