ON SUSSEX HERONRIES. 67 



but at present there are barely 200 nests. I cannot in any way account for 



the decrease in their numbers, as the greatest care is taken to preserve them, 



and no timber or underwood in proximity to the heronry has been cut for a 



great many years, so as to avoid disturbing them. The trees in which they 



build are, for the most part, large oaks, under which nothing grows but 



brambles. The wood is about eighty acres in extent, and lies on the side of 



a hill facing the north. The Rye and Finchall turnpike-road runs along the 



top of the wood ; and by driving along the road, the birds can be plainly 



seen on their nests in the spring-time. The Tillingham, well stocked with 



fish, runs along the north side of the cover ; and about half a mile to the 



south the Brede river flows. 



" ' Yours faithfully, 



" 'Brickwall, Northiam, Sussex, " ' EdwARD FreweN.' " 



"'December 1876.'" 



Mr. Arnold adds a curious fact : — At Fyvie, near Turrifl^, Mr. Sim 

 states, "Herons do sometimes have their nests in a rookery; one had its 

 nest two years in succession in the Fyvie rookery, no other Heron's nest 

 beino; known within six miles." 



•'a 



Rooks and Herons do not always live together in peace. Bewick states 

 (vol. ii. p. 39, note) that " at Dallam Tower, Westmoreland, the seat of 

 Daniel Wilson, Esq.," in 1775, there was a violent contest, which cost many 

 lives and lasted two years. The Herons gained the victory; but it should 

 be observed that they were driven into the fight by their own trees being 

 cut down. 



At Sowden Wood one very remarkable fact is stated by Mr. Frewen, in 

 a letter on the subject :— " There is no underwood below the trees, as nothing 

 will grow but brambles, the Herons' droppings being most destructive and 

 poisonous. It is a good find for a fox ; I expect they come there for fish &c. 



L 2 



