'J30 HISTORY OF 



with materials fitted lor their nestling, which they call heronries. 

 The heron, which with us is totally unfit for the table, is more 

 sought for in France, where the flesh of the young ones is in 

 particular estimation. To obtain this the natives raise up high 

 sheds along some fishy stream ; and furnishing them with mate- 

 rials for the herons to nestle with, these birds build and breed 

 there in great abundance. As soon as the young ones are sup- 

 posed to be fit, the owner of the heronry comes, as we do into a 

 pigeon-house, and carries off such as are proper for eating ; and 

 these are sold for a very good price to the neighbouring gentry, 

 " These are a delicacy which," as my author says, " the French 

 are very fond of, but which strangers have not yet been taught 

 to relish as they ought." Nevertheless, it was formerly much 

 esteemed as food in England, and made a favourite dish at great 

 tables. It was then said that the flesh of a heron was a dish for 

 a king ; at present nothing about the house will touch it but a 

 cat. 



With us, therefore, as the heron, both old and young, is 

 thought detestable eating, we seldom trouble these animals in 

 their heights, which are for the most part sufficiently inaccessi- 

 ble. Their nests are often found in great numbers in the mid- 

 dle of large forests, and in some groves nearer home, where the 

 owners have a predilection for the bird, and do not choose to 

 drive it from its accustomed habitations. It is certain that by 

 their cries, their expansive wings, their bulk, and wavy motion, 

 they add no small solemnity to the forest, and give a pleasing 

 variety to a finished improvement. 



When the young are excluded, as they are numerous, vora- 

 cious, and importunate, the old ones are for ever upon the wing 

 to provide them with abundance. The quantity of fish they 

 take upon this occasion is amazing, and their size is not less to 

 be wondered at. I remember a heron's nest that was built near 

 a school-house ; the boys, with their usual appetite for mischief, 

 climbed up, took down the young ones, sewed up their vents, 

 and laid them in the nest as before. The pain the poor little 

 animals felt from the operation increased their cries ; and this 

 but served to increase the diligence of the old ones in enlarging 

 their supply. Thus they heaped the nest with various sorts of 

 fish, and the best of their kind ; and as their young screamed, 

 they tlew off for more. The boys gathered up the fish, which 



