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THE HERON,* 
Ardea cinerea, Linn. 
Owing to the many suitable bays around the coast, and 
the prevalence of water in the island (in lake, river, 
marsh, &c.), is particularly abundant. 
Habits in Belfast Bay, 
On the extensive oozy banks of BeKast bay these birds are very 
plentiful; and always to be seen except during the time of high 
water.t At the same view I have remarked nmnbers stationed 
singly, like sentinels, along the margin of the flowing tide for 
miles ; and, a little apart, a group of thirty together. So soon as 
the encroaching waves chive them off the banks, where they are 
securely beyond the range of gun-shot from the shore, they take 
their departure ; and under various circumstances await the reced- 
ing of the waters. Some of those feeding on the Down side of 
the bay go in congregated numbers to the comparatively retired 
Strangford lough, where they are less disturbed. I once reckoned 
so many as sixty proceeding thither, at the same time, in a 
single line of flight. Others take a course as if going right to sea; 
but they probably reach a quiet haven about the entrance of the 
bay. The following note tells us how a few dispose of themselves. 
At Cultra demesne, on the county Down borders of Belfast bay, 
herons in their elegant light-hued plumage have a very fine effect ; 
and are conspicuous objects from a distance, when perching (as I 
remarked them habitually to do, in the summer of 1848, during 
high water) on the dark-foliaged pine and silver fir. These trees 
form part of an extensive wood, chiefly of oak and other indige- 
nous trees of equal size with the Coniferm, that beautifully clothe 
* Vulgarly crane, or long-necked heron. 
t Aug. 1849. — The past rather than the present tense should here be used ; a 
change with respect to the herons leaving the bay so generally at high-water as for- 
merly having taken place since a line of railway, extending along a part of each shore, 
has been opened. As trespassing is not permitted “ on the line,” the birds may 
be seen at high-water, sometimes within half a gun-shot of it when the train passes, 
without being in the least disturbed. A few days’ experience seemed sufficient to 
convince them that they had nothing to dread from railway trains or passengers. 
