CROWS AND ROOKS. 
193 
in a body, and one, according to tbeir custom, taking the 
lead, flew off to the southward. This curious story is in 
some degree corroborated by the opinion of old writers, one 
of whom, in describing the migration of these birds in the 
eastern countries, says, that when they go away, the Stork 
that comes last to the place of rendezvous is killed on the 
spot by the others.^ 
At Dunham, near Altrincham, in Cheshire, the seat of the 
Earl of Stamford, there is a heronry, which has existed for 
many years. It happened, about the latter end of March, or 
beginning of April, a few years ago, that a gentleman, riding 
along the turnpike-road, saw, in a small field, about a mile 
from the trees where the birds breed, about thirty-five or 
forty standing on the ground, and occasionally moving 
slowly in various directions. At first he was uncertain what 
birds they were, as their heads were thrown back, and they 
appeared little raised from the ground ; but, on approaching 
the spot, he was soon satisfied that they were Herons. His 
presence, however, had no other effect (though in general 
they are remarkably shy and cautious) than inducing those 
nearest the hedge, where he had stationed himself to watch 
their motions, to walk leisurely to a more distant part of the 
field. He remained for some time a spectator of their sin- 
gular assemblage, which impressed him with the opinion 
that it was a deliberate council ; and we agree with him that 
in this case, at least, though not in the preceding, which 
occurred in the Autumn, their object was connected with 
the usual pairing, which takes place about that time. We 
are the more strengthened in the opinion, from having wit- 
nessed meetings in some degree similar amongst Magpies, 
and some other birds. 
In the month of February, we recollect once seeing a 
prodigious number of Magpies in a field ; some hopping about 
near the edge, others secreted in the hedges, and no less than 
twenty-seven perched on a small ash-tree. At first, the 
presence of a fox was suspected, knowing it to be a constant 
Bellonius. 
O 
