70 ON SUSSEX HERONRIES. 



those which were taken by Falcons at Didhngton had always small pike in 

 their maws." 



At Sowden Wood, in spring, the birds can be seen from the road 

 standing in rows, like a regiment of soldiers. But it would be impossible to 

 photograph groups of birds on the move; and even the young Heron which 

 may be observed in his nest in the lithograph, would perversely open and 

 shut his mandibles, to the annoyance of those taking his portrait ; while he, 

 on his part, w^ondered why his fond parent failed to disgorge the expected 

 eel from her own into his mouth. 



Noakes says the Herons chiefly feed at night, in which he is confirmed 

 by Macgillivray ('British Birds,' vol. iv. p. 448), but adds:— "I do not 

 think they see objects so well in the dusk ; for I have known two or three 

 to pass overhead within shot whilst I was quite unconcealed. On another 

 occasion, when I was down amongst the rocks by moonhght, one aUghted 

 close beside me (at not a dozen yards distance, I suppose), and did not seem 

 to be aware of me till I frightened it off." 



"When the Herons at Sowden Wood are sitting, you may pelt them with 

 stones, but they will not rise from the nest, 



Noakes, the w^oodman, says that he has eaten a Heron in a dumpling, 

 all except the legs *, and reports it " beautiful." Now I have done the same, 



* Noakes affirms that when the Heron stands in the -(rater the greasiness of the legs attracts 

 the eels. But this is a very curious belief for a Sussex labourer to hold in 1877, because, if we turn 

 to Lloyd's ' Scandinavian Adventures/ vol. ii. p. 388, we find it stated that " the common people 

 in Sweden think that its legs have a peculiar odour, whereby fish are attracted to the spot." 

 Pontopiddan says : — " Its long legs are a great help to it to get provisions. On these legs are a 

 very few fine haii's, which play softly in the water ; and that motion entices the fish, who are not 

 aware of the devom-ing beak." Lloyd quotes this, and observes : — " The real attraction consists 

 probably in the droppings of the bird." This is perhaps the true solution ; for there appeai-s to be 

 something in so widely spread a belief; and though Noakes has never read the work of the fine old 

 bishopj yet, being a practical observer, his observation means something. 



