COMMON HERON. 
125 
solitary islet in some Highland loch; — and they 
are sometimes also seen upon precipitous rocks, 
South Stack Lighthouse, and Great Ormes Head, 
&c. * Of their breeding on the ground we have 
the fact stated, hut we cannot trace it to any thing 
authentic. 
Except during the breeding season, the abodes of 
the Heron are by the banks of streams and rivers, 
or along the sides of lakes and their islands, fenny 
districts, and, in the lato parts of autumn and 
winter, by the sea shore ; in the latter situations, 
they may be seen taking their station so soon as 
the shoals begin to be uncovered by the ebbing of 
the tide ; and, when satiated with feeding, rows of 
birds may be observed on some retired sand bank, 
their head sunk between their shoulders, exhibit- 
ing a picture of full-fed laziness. They appear at 
this time to be partly gregarious, and to resort, day 
after day, nearly to the same stations. In inland 
parts they occasionally rest during the day, and 
roost upon trees. Their food is very mixed, though 
the great proportion consists of creatures inhabiting 
or frequenting the waters, fish of all accessible 
kinds, and aquatic reptiles ; but, when motion is 
perceived in the water, or herbage by the brink, 
the attention is drawn to it, and a stroke is made 
at the object, though imperfectly seen ; thus, 
water rats or mice, young aquatic birds, and now 
and then a water-hen or rail, are killed. In con- 
finement, any kind of fish or raw meat will be 
* F.yton. 
