BRITISH BIRDS. 39 



The Heron traverses the country to a great dis- 

 tance in quest of some convenient fishing spot, and 

 in its aerial journies soars to a great height, to 

 which the eye is directed by its harsh cry, uttered 

 from time to time while on the wing. In flying, it 

 draws the head between the shoulders, and the 

 legs, stretched out, seem, like the longer tails of 

 some birds, to serve as a rudder. The motion of 

 their wings is heavy and flagging, and yet they get 

 forward at a greater rate than would be imagined. 



In England, Herons were formerly ranked among 

 the royal game, and protected as such by the laws; 

 and whoever destroyed their eggs, was liable to 

 a penalty of twenty shillings for each offence. 

 Heron-hawking was, at that time, a favourite diver- 

 sion among the nobility and gentry of the kingdom, 

 at whose tables this bird was a favourite dish, and 

 was as much esteemed as Pheasants and Peacocks. 



