Flerons. 361 
The herons are at the same time the largest and 
most regular visitors to the mere out of which the 
brook flows. One or more may generally be found 
there at some time of the day all the year round ; 
but there is a remarkable diminution in their numbers 
during the nesting season. Thenearest heronry must 
be about thirty miles distant, which probably explains 
their absence at that time. It also happens that just 
before the summer begins the mere is usually at its 
greatest height ; the water is deep almost everywhere, 
and there are fewer places where the herons could fish 
with success. 
They fly at a great height in the air, and a single 
stroke of the huge wings seems to propel the bird a 
long distance; so that though at first sight they 
appear to move very slowly, the eye being deceived 
by the slow stroke of the wings, they really go at a 
good pace. They do not seem to have any regular 
hours of visiting the lake—though more seem to arrive 
in the afternoon—but they have distinct lines of flight 
along which they may be expected to come. In 
winter, however, they show more regularity, going 
down from the lake to the water-meadows in the 
evening, and returning in the early morning—that is, 
supposing the lake to be open and free fromice. If the 
shores are frozen a heron or two may be found in the 
water-meadows all day. 
In the autumn, after a dry summer, is the best 
time to watch them. The water is then low; numerous 
