OUR HERONRY 257 



their young, probably on account of the narrowness 

 of gape and swallow. To obtain the requisite food 

 the herons move off at evening to the quiet tarns 

 and streams which abound in trout and eels. As the 

 young birds come to maturity they are driven from 

 the nest, and in a few days a new clutch of eggs is 

 laid. The incubation of these is performed by both 

 parents, one sitting during the day, the other at 

 night. As soon as young herons are able to look 

 about them they have a habit of standing erect in 

 the nest, and, not being very stable, are not unfre- 

 quently blown to the ground. If no harm befalls 

 them they are here fed by the old birds, though 

 they never attempt to regain their lofty nests. 

 Everywhere beneath the heronry there is an ancient 

 and fish-like smell; and this by the warm days of 

 summer becomes almost unbearable. 



When nesting operations are over the herons 

 leave their summer haunts among the tall trees and 

 make down to the bay and low-lying marshes. 

 At this season the birds are gregarious, and their 

 daily movements afford material for pleasant study. 

 If the fishing ground in the channel is fruitful 

 sport goes on harmoniously; but if otherwise, chase 

 is given to the successful fishers by the lesser black- 

 backed gulls. These birds invariably cause the 

 herons to drop their game, catching it as it falls. 

 See, on a calm sunny day in September, the Stacy- 



