CROWS AND ROOKS. 193 



in a body, and one, according to their custom, taking the 

 lead, flew off to the southward. This curious story is in 

 some degree corroborated by the opinion of old writers, one 

 of whom, in describing the migration of these birds in the 

 eastern countries, says, that when they go away, the Stork 

 that comes last to the place of rendezvous is killed on the 

 spot by the others. 1 * 



At Dunham, near Altrincham, in Cheshire, the seat of the 

 Earl of Stamford, there is a heronry, which has existed for 

 many years. It happened, about the latter end of March, or 

 beginning of April, a few, years ago, that a gentleman, riding 

 along the turnpike-road, saw, in a small field, about a mile 

 from the trees where the birds breed, about thirty-five or 

 forty standing on the ground, and occasionally moving 

 slowly in various directions. At first he was uncertain what 

 birds they were, as then* heads were thrown back, and they 

 appeared little raised from the ground ; but, on approaching 

 the spot, he was soon satisfied that they were Herons. His 

 presence, however, had no other effect (though in general 

 they are remarkably shy and cautious) than inducing those 

 nearest the hedge, where he had stationed himself to watch 

 their motions, to walk leisurely to a more distant part of the 

 field. He remained for some time a spectator of their sin- 

 gular assemblage, which impressed him with the opinion 

 that it was a deliberate council ; and we agree with him that 

 in this case, at least, though not in the preceding, which 

 occurred in the Autumn, their object was connected with 

 the usual pairing, which takes place about that time. We 

 are the more strengthened in the opinion, from having wit- 

 nessed meetings in some degree similar amongst Magpies, 

 and some other birds. 



In the month of February, we recollect once seeing a 

 prodigious number of Magpies in a field ; some hopping about 

 near the edge, others secreted in the hedges, and no less than 

 twenty-seven perched on a small ash-tree. At first, the 

 presence of a fox was suspected, knowing it to be a constant 



* BELLONIUS. 



