THE HERON. 145 



on this island from time immemorial. At the period of my friend's 

 visit it contained at least fifty nests. 



This picture (which is the property of Mr. Callwell) is remarkable 

 for unity of treatment throughout, and for high poetical feeling, in 

 both of which Dr. Petrie eminently excels. It is much to be regretted 

 that his drawings, so original in their character, are little known out 

 of Ireland. To those who have not seen any of them, and are acquainted 

 with the productions of the English masters in water-colours, it may 

 be observed, that Petrie's style approximates to that of Copley Field- 

 ing more than to any other ; both artists being remarkable for a depth 

 of fine poetical feeling in their treatment of landscape ; and the pro- 

 ductions of the former being further characterized by extreme correct- 

 ness of detail both as to form and colour. Remarkable effects, too, 

 such as Turner delights to pourtray, have often been represented in — 

 indeed have formed the subjects of — Petrie's admirable drawings. 



The heronries which have been named give no idea whatever of the 

 number in Ireland ; being only such as I have happened to hear of and 

 note down. 



Already, in a letter from Mr. Knox, some of the circumstances of a 

 heronry are detailed ; but two or three casual notes may here be added. 



On the 19th of Feb. 1832, I observed that a pair of herons had 

 completed their nest in Belvoir Park, where they are less gregarious 

 than usual, and build in different parts of the demesne. Although this 

 richly -wooded park is bounded on one side by the river Lagan, and 

 contains a spacious sheet of water, partly bordered with lofty trees, in 

 which the herons chiefly build, they have occasionally selected other 

 places remote from any water. In 1833 a group of lofty beech tree s 

 half a mile distant from both lake and river was chosen, on the very 

 topmost branches of which, five of their nests appeared, and hence were 

 completely exposed to " the pelting of the pitiless storm." The 

 structure of the nest too (as well remarked by Mr. Poole) " is so very 

 open, that the whole outline of the sitting bird can generally be dis- 

 tinguished from the ground." Buds of such bulk look comical on the 

 light topmost spray of the beech, especially on windy days, when it 

 is very amusing to observe them balancing themselves on the limber 

 twigs. Now, by raising one of their wings, and the next moment both, 

 they succeed wonderfully in keeping their position, and remind the 

 spectator of the performances of a rope-dancer, in which the apns are 



VOL. II. L 



