The Heron-like Birds. 
i55 
grass and leaves, and sometimes consists only of the bird’s grey down. The eggs 
are from six to nine, or more, in number ; they are of an olive stone-colour or 
creamy-buff, and measure from two-and-a-half to two-and-three-quarter inches 
in length. 
The Heron-like Birds .— Order Ardeiformes. 
THE 
PURPLE HERON. 
(Phoyx purpurea.) 
(See p. 156.) 
These birds are remarkable for their long legs, and differ from the allied families in 
many anatomical characters. The Order is represented in Great Britain by the 
Herons and Storks. The Herons have the hind-toe on the same level as the other 
toes, and the middle toe has a comb-like ridge on the claw. 
The Purple Herons have longer toes than the other members 
of the family Ardeida, especially the middle toe, which is 
equal to the tarsus in length, and the hind-claw is particularly 
strong and nearly straight, with a very slight curve. The 
present species has frequently occurred in Great Britain, at least 
fifty times, only one of the occurrences having been recorded from Ireland. It is 
found nesting throughout the greater part 
of Central and Southern Europe, as well 
as in Africa and Central Asia. It is a shy 
bird and skulks among the reed-beds 
which form its home, instead of taking 
flight like other Herons. The nest is 
made of reeds, and is placed at no great 
height from the surface of the water in a 
reed-bed. The eggs are from three to five 
in number, and are of a greenish-blue 
colour, measuring about two or two-and-a- 
quarter inches in length. 
As in the genus 
Phoyx, the tail-feathers 
are twelve in number 
in the Common Heron ; 
the bill has saw-like edges or serrations. 
The grey colour, with the white crown and 
the long black central feathers of the throat 
and chest easily distinguish the species. 
The nestlings, which remain for a long The Common Heron. 
THE COMMON 
HERON. 
(Ardea cinerea.) 
