158 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



nated in the brain of some compiler who was 

 ignorant of its anatomy, and who had never seen 

 its nest ; but having noticed the unusual length 

 of its limbs, took for granted that it would be 

 impossible for the heron to gather them up in 

 the usual manner, and therefore as there ought to 

 be two apertures in the bottom of the nest for 

 their reception, that he might take the liberty of 

 boring them forthwith. One of the numerous in- 

 stances in which preconceived theories are found 

 to be at fault when tested by the actual opera- 

 tions of nature. 



But besides the noble heron, which formerly 

 occupied a prominent position on the game list, 

 and many other birds which are now included in 

 that category, various species of water-fowl and 

 wading-birds were favourite objects of pursuit 

 with the falconer. Nay, even crows and magpies 

 had their admirers, and in the opinion of the late 

 Sir John Sebright one of the highest authorities 

 on that subject the last-named birds afford so 

 animating a sport that he considered it far supe- 

 rior to every other kind of hawking. The magpie 

 always endeavours to make for a thick hedge or 

 cover. The object of the falconer, and indeed of 

 all the spectators whose assistance is of import- 

 ance, and who are thus enabled to take a share 

 in the amusement is to drive him from these 



