103 

 THE HERON. 



THE HERON (Ardea cinerea) is, in appearance and 

 habits, one of the most singular birds to be found in 

 Britain. It is longer than the golden eagle, and the 

 expanse of its wings is not much less than that of the 

 ordinary specimens of that bird. It measures about 

 forty inches in length, and sixty -four in breadth ; 

 and yet, with all this vast spread, it does not weigh 

 above three pounds. The fact is, that it is all legs, 

 wings, neck and bill, and this gives it, when seen 

 from a distance, a very formidable appearance. In 

 its way, it is a formidable bird ; and though shy and 

 retiring in its nature, and not disposed to attack any 

 thing but its finny prey, its structure is admirably 

 united to its modes of life. Its legs are of great 

 length and strength. The scaly coverings of the legs, 

 and the nature of the cuticle on the naked parts and 



