BIRDS 



135 



The bird is widely distributed, nesting in colonies, and is very general in 

 England, and in parts of Scotland and Ireland. There are some two hundred 

 colonies in England, about the same number in Scotland, and forty in 

 Wales ; more than fifty in Ireland. In winter other herons migrate to our 

 shores from abroad, but probably our native herons remain sedentary. 



In most parts the colonies nest in trees ; but the ground is also used, or 

 even a low bush or a reed-bed. The nest is flat, but substantially built of 

 sticks and branches, lined with finer twigs. Four or five eggs are laid, of a 

 dull light green. 



The species feeds on fish, but small reptiles and amphibia and even water 

 voles are also caught. The usual note is a harsh shriek, not unlike a Goose's 

 cry heard in the distance, and also a low " Ka " when near the nest. 



[It is sad that the BITTERN can scarcely rank as a British bird, being 

 nearly extinct. In old days, its strange booming was a familiar sound in 

 the fens. It is now a cold-weather visitor in small numbers. Its near relative, 

 the LITTLE BITTERN, is a still rarer occasional visitor.] 



Montagu's Harrier. 



Merganser, Red-breasted. Is distinguished from the Goosander (which see) 

 by its smaller size, its reddish throat, and the curious double crest of long 

 feathers (p. 129). The drake has a black-green head, white throat, mottled 

 brown-red breast, the rest of the coloration being black and white. The duck 

 has a dull chestnut head, neck, and throat. 



The nest is usually near water on the ground, in herbage, under bushes, 

 or some other natural protection. The eggs are grey, of lighter or darker 

 shades, to olive. 



[All the Saw-billed Ducks are expert at swimming and diving, as well as 

 flying. Unfortunately, they cause great havoc among the trout and salmon 

 fry, and are therefore kept down as much as possible by fish preservers. The 

 Goosander utters a harsh guttural quack ; but the Merganser is a much more 

 silent bird, for while the duck quacks when disturbed, the drake seldom 

 utters any note except a loud rough purring note when courting.] 



Pheasant. There is no need to describe this familiar bird, whose short 

 abrupt crow, "Cock-up, cock-up, cock-up," is so often heard in the woods 

 on spring and summer evenings. Its distinguishing feature is the brilliant 



