334 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



which fall over its shoulders like a plume, whilst those in front, which 

 are narrow and pendent, resemble a kind of beard surrounding the 

 base of the neck. 



These Birds lead a semi-nocturnal life, and frequent the margins 

 of lakes, marshes, and rivers, where they feed on reptiles, frogs, and 

 fish. They are generally of a shy nature, selecting for their roost the 

 most unfrequented portions of extensive woodlands. When in pursuit 

 of their prey, they go into the water until it reaches half-way up 

 their legs, and with the neck doubled down over the breast, and the 

 head buried between the shoulders, remain immovable as statues 

 till a fish comes within reach of them, when they suddenly shoot 

 out their necks, as if impelled by a spring, and, with a sharp move- 

 ment of the bill, impale the unfortunate victim. When their fishing 

 is not productive they dig into the mud with their feet, to unkennel 

 frogs and other reptiles thai are concealed in it. If compelled by 

 hunger, they will attack rats, wood and field mice, and if further 

 pressed they show no repugnance to carrion. They can, however, 

 endure abstinence for a considerable time. 



Most of the Herons are endowed with great powers of flight. 

 When compelled by unusually severe weather, they occasionally 

 migrate, the young and the old travelling separately. Nevertheless, 

 as they can accommodate themselves to almost any temperature, 

 some species are stationary, and they are to be met with all the year 

 round in countries the most dissimilar. 



The principal species of Herons are the Common Heron, the 

 Egret, the Purple Heron, the Bittern, the Night Heron, and the 

 Nankeen Heron. 



Every one knows the Common Heron (Ardea cinerea, Fig. 132), 

 at least by reputation, if only from La Fontaine's verse : — 



" Heron with the long bill, fit handle of a longer neck." 



Its height is about forty inches, arid it is found in nearly all parts of 

 the globe. It is the most numerous species in France, and is the 

 only one which builds, lays, and rears their young in company. 

 The place selected for this community is generally a clump of lofty 

 trees in the neighbourhood of a lake or river; on the summits of 

 which, or in the angles formed by the branches, the Herons build 

 their nests, which are of very simple construction — a few boughs 

 interwoven together with smaller twigs, and without any such luxu- 

 rious additions as smaller birds love to add. In these nests the 

 females lay three or four eggs, and the males share with them the 



