Genus ARDEA.
G e x . Char. B i l l lon g , strong, straight, compressed in a len g th en ed co n e ; u p p e r mandible
s lig h t ly ch annelled, rid g e rounded. N o s tr ils lateral, basal, slit len g thwise in the groove ,
and h a lf shut b y a membrane. L e g s lon g , slender, n ak ed ab ove th e kn e e . Toes three
before, th e tw o o u te r united b y a membrane, th e in n e r divided, and one beh in d p lac ed
in teriorly. Claws lon g , compressed, sharp, th e middle one denticulated on th e inside.
Wings o f middle size, the first q u ill a little shorter than th e second and third, w h ich are
th e longest.
COMMON HERON.
A rd e a cinerea, Linn.
L e Héron.
Our large sheets o f water adjacent to woods and wild scenery have their pictorial beauties greatly enhanced by
this majestic bird, which, however, preserved with the utmost rigor when the art o f Falconry was in vogue, is
now in less estimation ; and notwithstanding its preservation at the present period in many extensive heronries,
we have every reason to believe its numbers are yearly diminished ; circumstances to which the draining of
our fens and marshes doubtless also materially contribute : and it is a question whether at no long distant date
the Heron will not become as scarce in our island as the Bustard. It may not be out of place here to observe,
that the Crane and Stork were once as. common with us as the Heron is now ; but being migratory birds, arid
finding that year after year their subsistence decreased, it is not so much to be wondered at that they should
altogether abstain from visiting such an inhospitable abode. The range o f the Heron is very extensive, being
distributed not only over the continent o f Europe, but in nearly every portion o f the Old World ; and in
America we find its place supplied by a species closely resembling it in colour and habits, but nearly a third
larger.
The Heron is very nocturnal in its general habits, and will when undisturbed remain during the day perched
upon the branch o f some large tree, where it sleeps away till evening calls it to exert itself in procuring the
necessary supply o f food ; when there are no trees in the neighbourhood, it may be observed reposing in the
centre o f the marsh, but generally so elevated as to command a view o f every approach, so as to be as safe as
circumstances will admit. In the dusk o f evening it may be seen leaving its retreat, and winging its way to
the accustomed fishing-place, where it spends the whole o f the night and morning in watching for its prey :
to this end it wades into the water, there remaining motionless as a statue, its keen eye watching the
approach o f its victims,— fish, particularly eels which are working their way into the shallows in search o f
their own food : let one come within the range o f its neck, which is retracted upon its shoulders in readiness
for a blow, and quick as lightning it is seized by the never-failing stroke o f its sharp-]H>inted bill. We may
here notice the strong digestive powers with which this bird is provided, whence arises the necessity o f an
exuberant supply o f food ; and as its means o f procuring it are in conformity with its wants, few birds make
such destructive havoc in the preserves o f fish : in addition to fish, however, it greedily devours frogs, aqriatic
insects, water rats, mice, &c. Few birds are more buoyant than the Heron; it elevates itself to a considerable
height, and is also capable o f maintaining its flight over large rivers and tracts o f country.
On the earliest approach o f spring, these birds assemble in flocks at the accustomed breeding-places, or
heronries as they are termed, and either repair the nests o f the preceding year, or construct new ones. They
are large, flat structures, composed o f sticks and twigs, the interior being lined, according to Mr. Selby, with
wool and other materials, and are placed on the topmost branches o f trees o f the highest growth. The eggs
are four or five in number, o f a blueish green colour. The young are easily reared, and become quite
domesticated in captivity, forming stately ornaments to sheets o f water in the vicinity o f mansions. During
the first year o f their existence, they are destitute o f the flowing plumes o f the back, chest and occiput, the
whole plumage having an obscure and dusky tinge.
The adult male has the forehead, the sides of the head, throat, and shoulders of the wings, breast and belly
pure white ; on the front of the neck a double row of oblong spots of black ; several long plumes of white
springing from the lower part ; a long plume of white feathers rising from the occiput ; the sides of the chest
black ; the whole of the upper surface of a silvery grey ; the Scapularies elongated, forming loose, streaming,
pendent feathers which fall over the wings ; the beak and the band round the eyes beautiful yellow, with a
tinge of grey ; and the tarsi olive green.
The female resembles the male externally, but is somewhat smaller.
We have figured an adult male nearly three fourths of the natural size.