Common Heron. 399 



oaks were felled down near the Mannour House, and they do 

 still (about 1690) breed in Farleighe Park.' I have made 

 diligent inquiry in both these localities, but in neither can I 

 trace a vestige of a Heron's nest within the memory of living 

 man. 



b. Heytesbury. A small outlying colony, in all probability an 

 offshoot from the Heronry at Longleat, established itself four or 

 five years ago at Heytesbury. This little colony consisted of 

 only two nests, which were carefully protected by the tenant, 

 who also did all in his power to keep their existence a secret, for 

 fear they should be disturbed. The two nests were not close 

 together, but one was on some trees in the water-meadows, and 

 the other in a plantation near the house, believed to have been 

 built in a fir tree. These particulars were most kindly collected 

 for me by Lord Heytesbury. 



c. Amesbury. Two nests were established last year (1886) 

 near the water on the property of Sir Edmund Antrobus, and 

 both hatched out their broods in safety. This year, however, 

 from some unaccountable reason, they are not breeding there, 

 though the keeper has seen the old birds flying out of the wood. 

 One of these nests was on an ash, the other on a beech-tree. 

 For the above interesting information I am indebted to the Rev. 

 A. W. Phelps, Vicar of Amesbury. 



d. Herons' Corner, Mildenhall. The Rev. C. Soames tells me 

 that there is a spot in his parish called ' Herons' Corner/ within 

 the borders of Savernake Forest, but he never heard of any 

 Herons nesting there. It is almost certain, however, that they 

 must have done so at one time, when they gave their name to 

 the locality. 



e. Noke Wood, Savernake Forest. Mr. C. Tanner, jun., informs 

 me that there was a very small offshoot of a Heronry established 

 for four consecutive years in an outlying part of Savernake 

 Forest called ' Noke Wood.' It consisted of two nests only, and 

 it has been deserted some three or four years. 



/. The Lawn, Swindon. I am indebted to Mrs. Ambrose 

 Goddard for the information that Herons very often visit the 



