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THE BREEDING HABITS OF THE PURPLE HERON. 

 By F. B. Whitlock. 



In May of the present year I visited a certain district in 

 France where the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) breeds in 

 moderate numbers. As my experience of the nesting habits of 

 this species differs in some respects from previously published 

 accounts, a few notes should not prove uninteresting. 



The district to which I refer should be a paradise for Herons, 

 as numerous large ponds or meres, of one, up to many hundred 

 acres in extent, are scattered over a wide extent of country. All, 

 however, are not favoured as breeding-places by the Herons, and 

 it is only in those which are covered by a dense forest of reeds 

 and other aquatic vegetation that colonies are found. 



In a mere of about one hundred acres, occupied by one vast 

 reed bed, and where in the few open spaces round the margins I 

 found the lovely white water-lily growing in profusion, I observed 

 Herons rising at intervals from the thickest portion of the reeds. 

 Having been told that a colony existed here, I determined on 

 making a closer examination. The only plan appearing to be to 

 wade out and force a passage into the reeds to the part to and 

 from which the birds were passing, I naturally carefully took my 

 bearings as I sat on the bank eating my lunch. Once amongst 

 the reeds I could only trust to my sense of direction, as they 

 grew to a height of seven or eight feet above the water. I was 

 glad to find when I commenced to wade that the depth of the 

 water rarely exceeded four feet, and that underfoot was a good 

 firm bottom free from mud. 



It was laborious work pressing through the reeds with a mass 

 of vegetation round my waist, and a long tail trailing behind, not 

 to speak of the hot sun overhead, and I must have travelled quite 

 two hundred and fifty yards before putting up a Heron a little 

 distance away to my right. Turning in the latter direction, I 

 found, after five minutes' search, a large nest containing eggs. 



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