BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE HERON. 



COMMON HKROX, HKROXSKWGH, OK HKROXSH.UV. 



(Ardea d'nerea. Lath. Heron eendre, Temm.) 



ALTHOUGH the Heron is of a long", lank, awk- 

 ward shape, yet its plumage gives it, on the whole, 

 an agreeable appearance; but, when stripped of its 

 feathers, it looks as if it had been starved to death. 

 It seldom weighs more than between three and 

 four pounds, notwithstanding it measures about 

 three feet in length, and in breadth, from tip to tip, 

 above five. The bill is six inches long, straight, 

 pointed, and strong, and its edges are thin, and 

 slightly serrated; the upper mandible is of a yel- 

 lowish horn colour, darkest on the ridge; the 



