HERON. GRALLATORES. ARDEA. 13 
tree ; they are built of sticks, and the interior lined with 
wool and other soft materials. They lay four or five eggs, 
of a bluish-green colour, but without lustre. The young, 
when first hatched, are naked and very unsightly ; and it is 
generally five or six weeks before they are so far fledged as 
to be able to quit the nest, during which period they are 
amply supplied with fish and other food by the parent birds, 
they having frequently to roam to a great distance for it *. 
When taken young, the Heron may be easily reared, and 
rendered very tame, and, when domesticated, is a pleasing 
addition to the other birds frequently kept in gentlemen’s 
grounds, though troublesome to maintain, on account of the 
peculiarity of its food. But the old birds, when caught, 
soon die, from obstinately refusing all nourishment. When 
wounded by the sportsman, and not entirely disabled, the 
Heron must be approached with caution, as it sets itself in a 
menacing attitude, and makes a formidable defence, striking 
directly at the eyes of the dog that unwarily attacks it . 
PraTE 2. Represents a male bird of about two-thirds of the 
natural size. 
The foreb cad, crown, sides of the head, and throat, the 
ridge of the wings, the breast and belly, are pure 
white. The sides, and back part of the neck, pale 
grey. The front of the neck has a double row of ob- 
long spots of greyish-black. ‘The long plumes which 
* A ‘curious account of a battle between a colony of Herons and a neigh- 
bouring rookery is related by Bewick, upon the authority of Dr Hry- 
sHAM, to which I refer my reader. 
+ From the following interesting anecdote, communicated by my worthy 
friend P. Netix, Esq. of Canonmills, near Edinburgh, it would seem, that, 
under cervain circumstances, and where favoured by situation, the Heron 
is not disinclined to breed in a state of domestication. “ The Common 
Heron (a 1nale), which was winged on Coldingham Muir in autumn 1821, 
when a young bird, and given to me in 1822 by Mr Jonn Witson of 
the College, has since resided in my garden at Canonmills, and is now so 
tame, that he often follows me, expecting a piece of cheese, which he 
relishes. Fqur years ago Mr ALLan of Lauriston sent:me a young fe- 
\ 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
