73 ON SUSSEX HERONRIES. 



T\ie number of nests on this ash is less than those on the celebrated oak 

 of Cressy Hall, Spalding, on which Pennant counted eighty. Trees were 

 scarce in the Lincolnshire fen; so the birds made the most of the one 

 at Leake. Heronshawe Hall is mentioned in Pishey Thompson. 



Though British Herons prefer trees when they can get them, we must 

 not forget that these birds build their nests upon the ground at times. In 

 his account of this species QArdea cinerea), Colonel Prjevalsky says (antecl, 

 p. 49), they "choose for their nesting-places the small, thick, reedy islands 

 of the river Lefa. . . . Here the nests are very numerous, close to each 

 other, all being built of the same shape and very carelessly. Some twigs, 

 without any lining, form the whole structure, which is of a flat shape and 

 not elevated beyond two or three feet above the water-mark. It is difficult 

 to understand how the eggs do not get injured in these nests during 

 a strong wind." 



Our common Heron (Ardea cinerea) cannot hold his own with the bird 

 of Central America (^Ardea cocoi, Linn.). Some years ago I received one of 

 the latter by ship, and presented him to the Zoological Society. Birds that 

 have made voyages are usually tame ; the sailors soon make them so ; but this 

 Heron proved an exception. Being placed in an aviairy with an English bird, 

 " a difficulty " arose, and the stranger soon laid the Britisher dead at his 

 feet. After this exploit he lived some years in the gardens of the Society ; 

 and I used to see him at times there, where he may be still for aught 

 I know. 



At the end of September 1877, outside Brighton, some clap-nets were 

 set by a pond ; and a young Heron, having settled on the ground near, was 

 driven into one of them and caught. This was the only instance I ever knew 

 of this bird being so taken. 



