EUROP EAN HERON— WARD'S HERON 33 



The Heeon Tribe 



While the birds which we have just described are 

 all remarkable for the shortness of their legs, the types 

 now to be considered are distinguished by the great 

 length of their legs. This difPerence is due to the fact 

 that the Herons and their near relations catch their 

 prey by wading in shallow water, whereas the birds 

 just described either procure their prey under water, 

 or capture it by plunging from a height. 



The Common European Heron is still found on 

 the streams and mud flats of secluded neighbourhoods ; 

 but it is a very wary bird, and must be approached 

 with great caution. In the days of feudal England 

 it was strictly protected, on account of the sport it 

 afforded in falconry, but the wonderful sight of a 

 "heronry," as a nesting-colony of these birds is called, 

 is becoming more and more rare. Their food con- 

 sists largely of small mammals and fish. 



The nests of these birds, constructed of sticks, are 

 usually placed in the tops of trees, but they will also 

 build upon the ground. See Plate 33, Fig. 192. 



The Common European Heron enjoys a wide 

 range, occurring over the greater part of Europe and 

 Asia, and in most parts of Africa and Madagascar. 

 It is also found in Australia. This bird's place is 

 taken in America by the Great Blue Heron, one of 

 the largest of the species. It has a very extensive 

 range, being found throughout most of the eastern 

 and southern States, and a particularly large variety, 

 called Ward's Heron, occurs in Florida. Standing 

 about four feet in height, when fully adult, this is a 



