49 



Ardea cinerea. 



Heron. 



LOCAL NAME. 



Hern. 



This is still a common and tolerably plentiful species,, 

 though it is certainly very much rarer now than it has been. 



In this neighbourhood they may be seen almost any day 

 flying over. 



The only Heronry near Marlborough is the one at 

 Bowood, the seat of the Marquis of Lausdowne. 



Gallinula chloropus. 



Moorlien. 



LOCAL NAMES. EGG OBSERVED. 



Marsh Hen. April 15th, 1865. 



Water Hen. April 11th, 1866. 



April 9th, 1867. 



April 4th, 1868. 



April 9th, 1869. 

 1870. 



To almost everyone the Moorhen is a familiar bird ; 

 indeed, living as it does on the banks of all rivers, lakes, 

 and ponds, it must be observed by all except the inhabitants 

 of the centre of large towns. In our part of "VYiltshire, 

 which, though it can boast of no large sheets of water, still 

 abounds in small water courses, such as the Moorhen 

 delights in, it may be seen feeding in flocks of a score or 

 so in the winter and in pairs at other times. 



