BIRDS. 
181 
Order 4. HERODII. 
Family AEDEID-ffi. 
190. Ardea cinerea, L. Heron. 
Eesident, apparently more numeroTis in winter. Only one 
heronry is known to us in the east of the county, which, up 
to 1873, was situated on the south side of Loch Brora, but 
afterwards the birds removed to the Gordonbush woods on 
the north side. Herons frequent the inland burns as long 
as the weather is open, but when severe, they come down to 
the coast. A few pairs bred on the large island near Syre, 
on the Naver, in 1885, but not in 1886 (Savile G. Eeid's 
Journals). Therfe was also one nest in 1886 in the cliffs 
of Combe Island, Betty Hill {loc. cit.). 
Some of the principal heronries in the west are those at 
Loch Shin, on the island off the Fiag Burn, Loch Alsh (in 
the peninsular part of Eoss-shire), Loch Cama (now extinct, 
rooks being in possession), Loch Beannoch in Stoir, Loch-na- 
Clash-fearn in Edderachyllis, etc. Scarcer at Loch Bean- 
noch in 1877 than formerly. 
A colony is mentioned by Mr. Wolley as existing two 
or three miles south of Golspie, " according to Mr. Bantock," 
in 1849. 
Common, and resident, breeding in the high sea-cliffs, pre- 
ferring those ledges where they can get ivy or any other 
sort of herbage as a foundation for their nests (0. MSS.). 
Wolley notes it as breeding at the Clett at Holborn Head 
{E.-B., vol. iii.). Harvie-Brown met with the species there, 
and at several other localities. 
