THE HERON. Ill 



Description. 



the houses, walls, and trees ; and at Persepolis, 

 or Chilmanar, in Persia, the remains of the pil- 

 lars serve them to build on, " every pillar having 

 ai nest on it/' as we read in Fryer's travels. 



THE HERON. 



THE common heron, which is very frequent in 

 these kingdoms, is about three feet three inches 

 in length. The bill is six inches long, and of a 

 dusky colour. The feathers of the head are long, 

 and form an elegant crest. The neck is white ; 

 the fore part marked with a double row of black 

 spots. The general colour of the plumage is a 

 blue grey ; with the bastard wing, and greater 

 quills, black. The middle of the back is almost 

 bare, and covered by the loose feathers of the 

 scapulars; the feathers of the neck also hang 

 loose over the breast. On each side, under the 

 wing they are black. The legs are of a dirty 

 green, and the inner edge of the middle claw is 

 serrated. The female has no crest, and the fea- 

 thers on the breast are short. 



The different parts in the structure of the he- 

 ron are admirably adapted to its mode of life. It 

 has long legs for the purpose of wading : a long 

 neck, answerable to these, to reach its prey in 

 the water ; and a wide throat to swallow it. Its 

 toes are long, and armed with strong hooked 

 talons ; one of which is serated on the edge, the 





