150 HERON 
Feltham about the same time more correctly notes (p. 127) 
‘Cranes or Herons’ as frequenting the rocks. 
The Heron is yet during most of the year a far from un- 
common bird where it can obtain sufficient retirement to 
suit its habits. Its favourite haunts, during the daytime 
at least, are secluded stream-sides in the wilder valleys and 
glens, and recesses and tide-pools on the less frequented 
portions of the shores. 
Ten years ago, one, two, or a family party might always 
at low tide be looked for on the weedy rocks of the northern 
part of Douglas Bay, and larger parties seen on the rocky 
coast of Santon. In the south, Castletown Bay, with its 
large expanse of low tide-reefs and pools, is a favourite 
resort, as are the far-jutting crags of Langness and Fort 
Island. The train, especially in the early morning, often 
rouses a Heron or two from the marshy wastes of the Con- 
gary or the willow thickets under Greeba, and it may also 
be met with, though perhaps less numerously than might be 
expected, in the more extensive wet lands of the Curragh. 
We did not notice any on the Calf in May 1901, but 
several were observed in August 1904, during a visit to the 
islet. 
Whatever may have formerly been the case, its status as 
a breeding species is now uncertain, and we cannot posi- 
tively assert that any Herons now breed in Man, however 
likely it may seem that an occasional pair may nest here 
and there, or even a small colony yet exist in some remote 
spot. Mr. F. 8. Graves was informed that forty years ago 
there was a Heron’s nest in a tree at Ballamoar, Patrick, 
and he thinks that some seventeen years later another pair 
bred in Greeba woods. In May 1895, as Mr. Crellin reports, 
two young Herons were seen with an old bird in Ballaugh 
Curragh (Y. Z. M, iii 123). Mr. Kermode states also that 
about 1880 Mr, Colquhoun saw some Herons in the down, 
