76 



HERON. 



the head, between the shoulders, the legs hanging, or straight out 

 behind. — In breeding time they unite in large societies, and make the 

 nests on the highest trees, composed of twigs, lined with a few 

 rushes and wool, sometimes feathers : the eggs are pale greenish blue, 

 four or five in number; they sometimes make the nest in high cliffs, 

 over the sea.* They may be brought up tame, if taken from the nest, 

 but if old birds are caught, they refuse nourishment, and pine away. 

 Although this bird, in moderate climates, is a constant inhabitant, 

 in the more northern it is only seen in summer ; found in Russia and 

 Siberia, but not very far north. Crantz says, it has been seen 

 in the south of Greenland, but this must have been a rare instance, 

 as we do not find it in Fabricius's List ; yet it certainly inhabits 

 Romsdale and Nordmer, in the severe climate of the diocese of Dron- 

 theim ; and not only this, but the other wading water birds, for the 

 most part, retire more southward to pass the winter. We can trace 

 this bird every where in Africa and Asia ; it is found within the Cape 

 of Good Hope;f and is also a native of both India J and China, 

 which drawings, brought from thence, will amply testify ; found all 

 the year at Calcutta and Bengal, at the latter place called Unjan, and 

 Angeeu ; builds on large trees, but it differs somewhat from climate, 

 as it has no black transverse lines on the scapulars, or any white. In 

 the marshes at Calcutta, but never comes to the rivers ; has the name 

 from the black streak over the eyes, resembling the mark, that the 

 native women make on the eyelids, with a powder called Unjan, or 

 Soorma of Hindustan. Is a native also of Java, and there called 

 Changa-awu. We find it also in America, being said to come into 

 New York in May, and retiring in October ; frequent in Carolina, 

 and breeds in flocks as in England. 



* A Description of the manners of the Common Heron may be seen in Gilpin's Remarks 

 on Forest Scenery, 2d Vol. 8vo. 1791. Called in Cheshire Yern, or Yarn. — Archcsol. V. 

 19. p. 42. 



t This Species and Blue Heron both found in the Velooren valley. — Thunb. Trav. ii. 143. 



£ One of the male among Lord Mountnorris's drawings called Pawbooth, from the 

 Province of Oude. 



