THE HERON 



ARDEA GIN ERE A' 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : " Frank," 

 " Frank Hern " (Essex) ; " Hernshaw." 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A widely distributed 

 yet local resident. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : There are few other cities in the British Islands 

 that can claim the Heron as a breeding species in their 

 immediate suburbs. In the Metropolitan area there are 

 at least three flourishing heronries within eleven miles 

 of the Cathedral, one of them within seven miles. The 

 latter is at Wanstead, and is the most extensive of the 

 three. This is within reach of a tram-ride from the 

 city. There is another and a smaller colony in' the 

 Sidmouth Plantation in Richmond Park, little more 

 than a 'bus-ride from the Bank of England ; whilst a 

 third colony exists in Osterley Park, an area of easy access 

 from all parts of the Metropolis. Taking these facts into 

 consideration, the appearance of the Heron in some of 

 the more central districts is by no means remarkable. 

 The bird is occasionally seen in Battersea Park, and regu- 

 larly feeds in Kensington Gardens and down the river to 

 Hammersmith and Barnes. It also frequents many of the 

 brooks, reservoirs, and ornamental waters in suburban 

 localities right round the Metropolis. On occasion it may 

 be seen in powerful swinging flight, crossing over the vast 

 City from one favourite haunt to another, usually towards 

 evening. 



Strange as the fact may seem, there are many country 

 places where the Heron is seldom seen, and still more 

 where it is never known to breed ; yet the bird is fairly 

 common within the Metropolitan area, and may be 

 watched at its nest within half an hour's ride of town 

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