BRITISH BIRDS, 
37 
HERON. 
COMMON HERON, HERONSEWGH, OR HERONSHAW. 
(Ardea Major ^ Lin . — Le Heron hupS, Buff.) 
Although the Heron is of a long, lank, auk- 
ward fliape, yet its plumage gives it on the whole 
an agreeable appearance ; but when ftripped of its 
feathers, it looks as if it had been ftarved to death. 
It feldom weighs more than between three and four 
pounds, notwithftanding it meafures about three 
feet in length, and in the breadth of its wings, 
from tip to tip, above five. The bill is fix inches 
long, fiiraight, pointed, and ftrong, and its edges 
are thin and flightly ferrated ; the upper mandible 
