ON SUSSEX HERONRIES. 



By Mr. G. D. ROWLEY. 



It was almost the last victory which the Scots gained over the English 

 (February 27, 1545, at "Ancram Muir"), and Angus was about to charge 

 the shaken ranks of the invaders, when a Heron rose out of the moor. 

 Now, though that Earl (the grandson of old Bell-the-cat) knew a Hawk 

 from a Heronshawe, and was brother-in-law to Henry VHI., he had probably 

 read but little of Homer; or the happy omen of a similar circumstance, 

 since so well rendered by Pope, would have entered his mind. He did not 

 quote it, neither will I ; but he shouted, " I would my good Gos-hawk were 

 here : we should all yoke together." (C/. Fronde's ' History of England,' 

 vol. iv. p. 397.) 



Leaving, however, that wintry day in 1545, and turning to the hot one 

 of August 18, 1877, when the photographer went from Brighton and took 

 the two photographs which have been reproduced, I will say a word on the 

 heronry at Great Sowden Wood, near Brede, the property of Mr. Edward 

 Frewen, of Brickwall, Northiam, Sussex, who kindly gave his permission, 

 and placed his keeper at my service for the purpose. 



Mr. Harting puts the existing number of British heronries at more 

 than two hundred, in a useful paper in the 'Zoologist,' 2nd ser. 1872, 

 pp. 3261-3272. Concerning Sussex he enumerates them as follows : — 



" One at Windmill Hill, Hurstmonceux (Mr. Curteis); one formerly in 



VOL. 111. ^ 



