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THE HERON,* 



Ardea cinerea, Linn. 



Owing to the many suitable bays around the coast, and 

 the prevalence of water in the island (in lake, river, 

 marsh, &c), is particularly abundant. 



Habits in Belfast Bay. 



On the extensive oozy banks of Belfast bay these birds are very 

 plentiful ; and always to be seen except during the time of high 

 water.f At the same view I have remarked numbers stationed 

 singly, like sentinels, along the margin of the flowing tide for 

 miles ; and, a little apart, a group of thirty together. So soon as 

 the encroaching waves drive them off the banks, where they are 

 securely beyond the range of gun-shot from the shore, they take 

 their departure ; and under various circumstances await the reced- 

 ing of the waters. Some of those feeding on the Down side of 

 the bay go in congregated numbers to the comparatively retired 

 Strangford lough, where they are less disturbed. I once reckoned 

 so many as sixty proceeding thither, at the same time, in a 

 single line of flight. Others take a course as if going right to sea; 

 but they probably reach a quiet haven about the entrance of the 

 bay. The following note tells us how a few dispose of themselves. 

 At Cultra demesne, on the county Down borders of Belfast bay, 

 herons in their elegant light-hued plumage have a very fine effect ; 

 and are conspicuous objects from a distance, when perching (as I 

 remarked them habitually to do, in the summer of 1848, during 

 high water) on the dark-foliaged pine and silver fir. These trees 

 form part of an extensive wood, cliiefly of oak and other indige- 

 nous trees of equal size with the Coniferce, that beautifully clothe 



* Vulgarly crane, or long-necked heron. 



f Aug. 1849.— The past rather than the present tense should here be used ; a 

 change with respect to the herons leaving the bay so generally at high-water as for- 

 merly having taken place since a line of railway, extending along a part of each shore, 

 has been opened. As trespassing is not permitted " on the line," the birds may 

 be seen at high-water, sometimes within half a gun-shot of it when the train passes, 

 without being in the least disturbed. A few days' experience seemed sufficient to 

 convince them that they had nothing to dread from railway trains or passengers. 



