AEDEA CINEEEA. 
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water, and built with those of the White Egret ( Hero diets alba). They are large platforms constructed of good- 
sized sticks, and measure from 18 inches to as much as 2 feet 6 inches across ; hut their size depends upon 
the particular description of fork-branch on which they are constructed. The eggs vary from two to three 
in number, and are broad almost perfect ovals in shape, the ends in some being slightly pointed. In texture 
they are rougher than those of the next species ; two specimens taken at the Heronry at Kodiyam Kularn 
measure 2 - 48 by T68 and 2 - 45 by l - 72 inches, and are uniform pale sea-green in colour. 
In England, where the Heron breeds alone and not in company with other birds, large numbers congregate 
together, as many as 100 pairs or more being found in some places. They select by choice Scotch firs, where 
they are to be had, and build as many as five or six nests in one tree. At a regular date every year, about 
the latter end of February, the occupants of the Heronry return and set about the work of repairing their 
nests, commencing to lay in about ten days after their arrival. When sitting on their eggs the head is drawn 
on to the shoulders, and no sign of the bird can be seen from beneath the nest. When disturbed the old birds 
manifest considerable anxiety for their eggs, flying round above their nests, and after several attempts at 
alighting, summoning up courage to settle on them again. The eggs take nearly five weeks to hatch, and the 
young are about two months before they can fly. They remain about the nests long after they are able to fiv, 
as the Herons are often far from water, and the young are a long time before they can muster courage to go 
off and fish for themselves. The consequence is a second brood is commenced before the first have left the 
Heronry, fresh eggs and fully grown young having been found in the same tree. While these birds are about 
the nests they are fed by the parents now and then during the day ; and quantities of fish are found lying 
beneath the trees in large Heronries, which have been dropped while being taken from the old birds by their 
inexpert progeny. In the tropics, where the nests are usually constructed in trees standing in water, the 
young leave them as soon as they are able to fly at all, and commence foraging for themselves in the 
surrounding jheel or tank. The voice of the young is sharper than that of the adult ; but it varies, consisting 
of several differently -toned notes. 
