ARDEIDrE — THE HERONS — HERODIAS. 
21 
localities in which it bred were forbidden ground, except to the servants of royalty ; 
the bird itself was exclusively royal game, and penal enactments preserved it for 
royal sport. But now that it must depend upon itself for safety, it has become shy, 
watchful, and solitary, and during the winter seldom more than one is seen at the 
same time and in the same place. In the spring, however, numbers collect together, 
and resort anew to the favorite wood in which, for years in succession, they have 
spent the breeding season. At this time their habits are said to resemble those 
of the Book ; and, like that bird, the Heron builds on high trees — generally large 
oaks — and associates in such great numbers that Pennant counted more than eighty 
nests of this species upon one oak at Cressy Hall — an estate then belonging to the 
Heron family. In some instances it has been known to build on precipitous rocks 
near the coast, and at others on the ground amongst reeds and rushes. The nest is 
usually of large size, formed of sticks, and often lined with wool. 
The usual number of eggs in the nest of this Heron is said to be four or five, and 
incubation lasts about four weeks. The parents sit on the eggs by turns, the sitting 
bird being supplied with food by its mate. When the young are hatched, both parents 
assist in the supply of food. If the heronry is visited during the breeding season, 
the old birds betray great anxiety, sailing in circles high above the trees. It feeds 
the young with fish and reptiles, occasionally with small mammalia also. It is assid- 
uous in collecting food during the breeding season, but at other times it usually fishes 
only late in the evening or very early in the morning, sitting the Avhole day perched 
on the branch of a large tree. 
It stands motionless in the water when fishing, the head drawn back toward the 
shoulders, ready to strike with its sharp beak the approaching prey. When a large 
eel has been secured, it is often disabled by beating it on the ground. Mr. Dana 
states that in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, where this Heron is very plentiful, 
it always selects the lee side of the island for its fishing operations. 
Mr. Yarrell states that this Heron is said to be very long lived. It was in former 
years held in great esteem as an article of food. The heronries are occupied for 
breeding purposes from spring until August. During the winter a few stragglers 
only are seen, who seem to be left to pay occasional visits to maintain the right of 
occupation. Occasionally furious battles take place between the Books and the 
Herons for the possession of particular trees. 
This Heron is a summer visitant of Scandinavia, going occasionally as far north 
as the Faroe Islands and Iceland, from which it straggles to the south coast of Green- 
land. It is found in Bussia and Siberia, and thence southward over the whole Euro- 
pean continent. It is said to be specially abundant in Holland. In its migrations it 
is found in most of the islands of the Mediterranean, and winters in North Africa. 
It has been traced to the Island of Madeira, and is even said to visit the Cape of 
Good Hope. It has been found in the countries about the Caucasus, is said to inhabit 
India, China, and Japan, and is included by Horsfield among the birds of Java. 
The eggs are of a uniform pale sea-green color, and are of a rounded oval form, 
2.25 inches in length by 1.75 inches in breadth. 
