PLA TE! EXxiil. 
Danis et Norvegis Heyre v. Hegre. Cimbris Skid-Heire, Skred heire. 
} Brunnich 156. tf 

The Heron is one of the moft common birds that inhabit this 
kingdom: and there is fcarcely any part of the globe that has been 
vifited by travellers, in which it has not been noticed. In Britain it 
was formerly held in high eftimation, not only becaufe its flefh was 
accounted a delicacy at the tables of the nobility*: but becaufe Heron 
Hawking was a favourite diverfion, infomuch that laws were enacted 
for the prefervation of the fpecies, and any perfon by deftroying the 
eggs incurred a penalty of twenty fhillings. 
The plumage of the male bird is remarkable for its elegance ; per- 
haps we could with lefs propriety ufe the fame expreffion, if {peaking 
of its general appearance and proportions. Nature has not provided it 
with webbed feet to fwim after its prey, which is almoft wholly of the 
aquatic kind, but has furnifhed it with very long legs to wade after it, 
and thefe give it rather an aukward appearance when ftanding on the 
land. The neck alfo is long and flender, but when it ftands on the fide 
of a flream or river waiting for the pafling of a fifh, its neck and head 
are drawn between the fhoulders: in flying its neck is alfo crouched 
down, and the head almoft concealed between the fhoulders. The 
male is chiefly diftinguifhed from the female by having a fine creft of 
black feathers; two in particular, in fome fpecimens, are eight 

* It appears from a curious book, entitled The Regulations of the Houfbold of the Fifth 
Larl of NoRTHUMBERLAND, begua in 1512, that Herons were valued at the fame price 
as Bytters (Bitterns), Fefaunts (Pheafants), Curlewes (Curlews), and Peacockes (Peacocks). 
“ At Principat Frasts.—-Item, it is thought in likewyze that HEARoNsEWYs 
be bought for my Lordces own mees; fo that they be at xiid. a pece.”” The price of the 
Crane was 16d. at the fame time, and the Goofe 3d. or at moft 4d.—Partridges 2d. 
Wosdeocks % or 34.3 and Snipes three for a penny. 
inches 
