THE HERON 
183 
conclusion, that I penned down the remarks on its 
habits, after many very close and often repeated 
inspections of the bird, during its winter residence 
amongst us. I fear, however, that we must be 
contented to remain in absolute ignorance of many 
important parts of its history, until some bold and 
hardy naturalist shall penetrate into those distant 
regions of the north, where this pretty bird, in 
company with myriads of other wild fowl, is sup- 
posed to pass the summer months in undisturbed 
security. 
NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE HERON. 
Of all the large wild birds w^hich formerly were 
so common in this part of Yorkshire, the heron 
alone can now be seen. The kite, the buzzard, and 
the raven have been exterminated long ago by our 
merciless gamekeepers. Ignorant of the real habits 
of birds, and even bent on slaughter, these men 
exercise their baneful calling with a severity almost 
past belief. No sooner have they received from 
government their shooting license, than out they 
go with the gun, and, under one pretext or other, 
they kill almost every bird which comes in their 
way. Our game laws are at the bottom of all this 
mischief. 
" Illis, non seevior ulla 
Pestis, et ira Deum, Stygiis sese extulit undis." 
N 4? 
