CHAPTER XXXV. 



THE HERON. 



" And the slow heron down shall fall, 

 To feed my fairest fair withal." 



COTTON. 



IT is a great mistake to imagine that this noble species of water-fowl 

 has become nearly extinct in this country. It is true there are now but 

 few heronries in England, compared with what there were many years 

 ago -, but there are nevertheless plenty of herons ; and it would seem 

 that these birds have given preference to exclusive solitude of late 

 years, for the purpose of building their nests, hatching and rearing- 

 their young, rather than to assemble in those ancient heronries which 

 used to be regarded as objects of considerable attraction. 



The days have long passed away since the heron had place in 

 chivalry; when, among our ancient customs, was one of swearing 

 an oath upon the dead body of a heron, and whereby many a gallant 

 knight has, in years long passed, plighted his troth to his " ladye 

 faire," as the most solemn and honourable manner of assuring her of 

 his sincerity. 



The heron was formerly esteemed one of the daintiest luxuries 

 of the dinner-table, and stood at the head of the game course on 

 every festive occasion.* 



According to the prices of wild-fowl assessed by the Mayor of 

 London, in the time of Edward I., the cost of a heron was sixteen 

 pence, and of an egret, or dwarf heron, eighteen pence, which are 

 among the very highest assessed prices of water-fowl in those days.f 



* " At principall feestes. Item, it is thought in likewyse that hearonsewys be 

 bought for my lorde's owne mees, so they be at xijd. a pece." Northumberland 

 Household Book, temp. Hen. VIII. 



" Cranys and herons schulle be enarmed wyth lardrons of swyne, and rostyd, and 

 etyn wyth gyngynyr." Ancient Cookery : A.D. 1381. 



f Vide " Liber Albus Gildhallae," introd., p. xxxiij. 



