which are its favourite resort. The nests of this Heron
are generally built amongst dense aquatic vegetation,
and are composed of dead reeds and sedges: I have
heard of instances in which the nest has been placed in
a tree, but, from my own experience, I am of opinion
that this bird is the least arboreal of European Herons;
it is of a more skulking nature than our Common
Heron, in this respect approaching the Bittern. In
captivity the Purple Heron becomes tame to a certain
degree, but, as a rule, avoids observation as much as
circumstances will permit; frogs are its favourite food,
but it may be fairly considered as omnivorous as the
others of its genus.
