CHOWS AND HOOKS. 
235 
seemed to address the conclave, by clapping its wings 
for about five minutes. It was followed by a second, 
a third, and a fourth, in regular succession, each, 
like the first, clapping its wings in the same odd 
and significant manner. At last they all joined in 
chorus, and then with one accord fell upon the poor 
culprit in the middle, and despatched him in a few 
seconds. After which they rose up in a body, and 
one, according to their 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 migrations 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 pre- 
sence, 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 
* Bellonius, 
