COMMON HERON. 509 



pressed, sharp, the middle claw denticulated on the inside. Wings of moderate 

 size ; the h'rst quill-feather a little shorter than the second or third, which are the 

 longest in the wing. 



THE COMMON HERON is one of the most numerous, as well 

 as the best known, of the group of truly wading birds now 

 under consideration ; and formerly, in the palmy days of 

 falconry, the places where they bred were almost held 

 sacred ; the bird was considered royal game, and penal 

 statutes were enacted for its preservation. Now, however, 

 the Heron is disregarded, and left to depend on its own 

 sagacity for its safety. During winter the Heron is watch- 

 ful, shy, and solitary, seldom more than one being seen at 

 the same time or place ; but early in spring numbers are 

 seen together, resorting to a favourite wood, which they 

 have probably occupied during their breeding season for 

 years in succession. At this time of the year they resemble 

 the Rooks in many of their habits, building like those well- 

 known birds on high trees, generally upon large oaks or tall 

 firs, and in such numbers do they associate, that Pennant 

 mentions having himself counted more than eighty nests 

 upon one oak at Cressy Hall, near Spalding in Lincolnshire, 

 an estate then belonging to the Heron family, one of the 

 most ancient in this country. Sometimes Herons build on 

 precipitous rocks near the coast, as at South Stack Light- 

 house, near Holyhead, mentioned by Mr. Eyton, and at 

 the Great Orme^s Head ; they are said also to build occa- 

 sionally on the ground, among reeds and rushes. The nest 

 is of large size, having much the appearance of that of the 

 Rook, but rather broader ; it is formed of sticks, and lined 

 with wool. The female lays four or five eggs, of a uniform 

 sea green colour, two inches three lines in length, by one 

 inch nine lines in breadth, and incubation lasts about 

 twenty -eight days. When the young are hatched, both 



