THE CRANE KIND. 321 



As soon as the young ones are supposed to be fit, 

 the owner of the heronry comes, as we do into a 

 pigeon-house, and carries off such as are proper 

 for eating ; and these are sold for a very good 

 price to the neighbouring gentry. " These are a 

 delicacy which," as my author says, " the French 

 are very fond of, but which strangers have not 

 yet been taught to relish as they ought." Never- 

 theless it was formerly much esteemed as food in 

 England, and made a favourite dish at great tables. 

 It was then said that the flesh of a heron was a 

 dish for a king; at present, nothing about the 

 house will touch it but a cat. 



With us, therefore, as the heron, both old and 

 young, is thought detestable eating, we seldom 

 trouble these animals in their heights, which are 

 for the most part sufficiently inaccessible. Their 

 nests are often found in great numbers in the 

 middle of large forests, and in some groves nearer 

 home, where the owners have a predilection for 

 the bird, and do not choose to drive it from its 

 accustomed habitations. It is certain that by their 

 cries, their expansive wings, their bulk, and wavy 

 motion, they add no small solemnity to the forest, 

 and give a pleasing variety to a finished improve- 

 ment. 



When the young are excluded, as they are nu- 

 merous, voracious, and importunate, the old ones 

 are for ever upon the wing to provide them with 

 abundance. The quantity of fish they take upon 

 this occasion is amazing, and their size is not 

 less to be wondered at. I remember a heron's 

 nest that was built near a school-house j the boys, 



VOL. IV. X 



