THE HERON 



(Ardea cinerea) 



THE heron, or common or grey heron, as it is frequently called in order 

 to distinguish it from its relatives, has fortunately not shared the fate 

 of the bittern, and is still more or less common in many parts of Great 

 Britain, where it may be seen at all hours of the day standing mid-leg deep in 

 some stream patiently awaiting the next passing fish. Its gregarious habits and 

 the protection accorded to many of the ancient heronries in various parts of the 

 country doubtless account for the survival among us of this handsome, albeit thin 

 and ill-favoured, grey bird. Nevertheless, on account of its fish-eating habits, 

 the heron has many enemies, and is relentlessly persecuted in certain districts, 

 especially by those connected with fisheries. Recently, however, efforts have been 

 made to check this persecution ; and in East Sussex, where there are no trout- 

 hatcheries, these birds are protected throughout the year. 



Although, as just mentioned, herons may be seen fishing at all hours of 

 the day, they are chiefly nocturnal birds, and thus the very opposite of the 

 kingfisher, which always captures its prey by daylight. When a heron sees a 

 fish within reach, it strikes with unerring aim like a flash of lightning, and 

 usually seizes its victim crosswise in its spear-like beak. In the case of larger 

 fish, it is stated, however, to attack them by stabbing in the back — a mode of attack 

 from which such fish, although mortally wounded, generally manage to escape. 

 Of those fish which are seized crosswise in the beak, the larger ones are first 

 beaten to death, after which they are swallowed head-foremost. When a success- 

 ful lunge has been made, the heron resumes its motionless, watchful pose, 

 confident that, although scared away for a time, the fish will soon return. 



As the heron is a most voracious bird, consuming, it is affirmed, fully 

 its own weight of food in a day, and as this food consists chiefly of fish, anglers, 

 it must be confessed, have some excuse for the detestation with which they regard 

 the species. Nevertheless, the heron does some good, as it also consumes a 

 number of snakes and frogs, as well as water-rats. In addition to the above, 

 herons also eat river-mussels, insects, worms, and probably also young birds. 



The geographical distribution of the heron is very extensive, comprising 

 most of the countries of the Old World, although the bird visits some of these only 

 during certain parts of the year. In the north of Europe, for example, herons are 

 migratory, travelling southwards to Africa in parties of as many as fifty individuals 

 in October, and not returning till the following March or April. All streams 

 and pieces of water in the neighbourhood of forests, or at least where a certain 



92 



