(in fome birds we have noticed fcvcral of thcfc feathers that 
reach quite to the back) ; on the under-fide of the neck, the 
feathers are of the fame loofe flowing kind, and extend quite 
over the bread, there are alfo a few fcattered over the back ; 
legs long, the hinder claw much larger and ftronger than the 
others ; colours in the female rather duller, the feathers 
formii7g the creft are wanting, and thofe on the neck ^rc not 
fo long or flowing. 
Herons generally build in high trees, the neft is compofed 
of flicks lined with feathers, v/ool, dry grafs, and other foft 
materials ; the eggs are of the fize, but of a greener hue than 
thofe of the duck ; it was formerly confidered as game, and 
perfons deftroying their eggs were liable to a penalty of twenty 
Ihillings. In the breeding feafon, they congregate in the 
manner of rooks^ and form large focieties ; Heronries, though 
by no means numerous, are to be met with h\ feveral of our 
northern counties, one in particular may be familiar to perfons 
in the habit of travelling the high North road, where the trees, 
in which many of the nefts are placed, and under which the 
coaches pafs daily, nearly crofs the road. They are very tena- 
cious of their breeding-places, and make great refiftance to 
any kind of intrufion ; in thefe focieties fhould any one be 
found pilfering materials from the neft of another, the offender 
expofes itfelf to fevere corredion, not unfrequently to the 
lofs of life, and to the almofl: certain demolition of whatever - 
it may have colle61:ed towards its own neft ; notwithftanding 
this tenacioufnefs with regard* to themfelves, they are lefs 
ceremonious in intruding on the territories of others ; as fliould 
they by any adverfe circumftance be expelled or deprived of 
their ancient refidences, they will take pofleflion of any neigh- 
bouring 
\ 
