160 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



THE COMMON HERON. Ardea cinerea. This beautiful 

 bird is generally distributed over the British Islands, and 

 throughout Europe, but not abundantly. It was formerly 

 a chosen object of pursuit when the sport of hawking was in 

 repute. The Heron frequents the banks of streams, rivers, 

 and lakes ; it resorts also to fens and to the sea-shore in 

 search of food. In the daytime it seldom exhibits any very 

 extraordinary activity, but as soon as the shades of night 

 set in it appears anxious and impatient. " It walks up and 

 down the bank, or moves from branch to branch, with ex- 

 traordinary activity, every now and then stretching out its 

 wings, and giving us to understand, by various gesticula- 

 tions, that it is about to commence its nocturnal peregrina- 

 tions in quest of food. One loud and harsh cry, often re- 

 peated, now informs you that the Heron is on wing, wending 

 its way to some distant river, swamp, or creek." During 

 the breeding- season Herons resort to lofty trees, where they 

 build in company, though the cliffs of the seacoast are some- 

 times chosen for their nesting-places, and some nests have 

 been found placed upon the ground. A heronry is how- 

 ever most frequently to be found situated on the tops of 

 trees. The nests, in close proximity, are large, and com- 

 posed of a quantity of sticks lined with dry grass, wool, and 



