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Closely allied to the Heron of Europe, is the GREAT HERON of North America, (Ardea Herodias.) deed it differs only in being larger, its general habits and manners being precisely the same. "He has great powers of wing," says Wilson, " flying sometimes very high, and to a great distance; his neck doubled, his head drawn in, and his long legs stretched out behind him, appearing like a tail, and probably serving the same rudder-like office."...... "He is most jealously vigilant and watchful of man, so that those who wish to succeed in shooting the Heron, must approach him entirely unseen and by stratagem." The favourite breeding places of the Great Heron are in the midst of extensive morasses, where tall cedars, rising out of the swamps, to the height of fifty or sixty feet without a limb, and entwining their branches, high over head, so as to spread gloom and twilight below, afford shelter and security.

Besides the Herons, the present genus comprehends the GREAT WHITE EGRET, (Ardea Egretta,) and the LITTLE EGRET, (Ardea Garzetta,) from the former of which are obtained the long loose floating plumes, so much valued as ornaments.

The Great Egret is very extensively spread; it is common in Asia, the eastern parts of Europe, and the north of Africa; and it is widely diffused over the American continent. Its manners and food are similar to those of the heron, which it resembles also in its mode of nidification, and of congregating in flocks to form heronries. Its plumage is snowy white; and from the back arises a plume composed of a number of long tapering shafts, thinly furnished on each side with fine flowing hair-like threads, several inches in length. This beautiful plume falls gracefully down the back, so as to conceal the tail entirely. The total length of the bird is about three feet six inches.

In addition to the egrets, we may notice the Bitterns also, of which there are several species; they differ from the herons in one or two respects, and especially in their

habits of nidification, and hence have been separated, by some authors, into a distinct genus, termed Botaurus. They build on the ground among reeds, osiers, or the luxuriant vegetation of swamps, where they also remain concealed during the day. They are recluse and solitary, and never associate in bands for the purpose of breeding in one common spot.

The COMMON BITTERN (Botaurus stellaris) is well known in England, and is abundantly spread over Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It frequents wide morasses, and the oozy banks of large rivers, where reeds and tall grasses afford it a retreat, and a convenient breedingplace. The nest is made of rushes, and the eggs are from three to five in number, and of a pale greenish ashcolour. It is not easy to rouse the Bittern by day, and when forced to take wing, its flight is heavy and slow; but as evening approaches it becomes alert, often soaring in a spiral manner, upwards, till quite out of sight, at the same time making a singular cry. The Bittern has, however, another note, peculiar to the breeding season, which is first heard in February. This noise, (the Bittern's boom,) which is not unlike the deep-toned roar of a bull, was supposed to be made by the bird plunging his bill into the mud; hence Thomson says, "With bill ingulfed to shake the sounding marsh." It is however produced by the unaided organs of voice. Frogs, rats, mice, reptiles, fish, &c. constitute the food of this bird, and night is the season of activity, when it searches for its prey.

Like the heron, the Bittern, when wounded, defends itself with determined obstinacy, throwing itself on its back, like a bird of prey, and darting its sharp beak with great force at its foe. It was much esteemed in the days of falconry. In size, the Bittern is rather less than the common heron. The plumage is beautifully varied with spots, bars and dashes of black on a fine reddish yellow ground. The feathers of the head and neck are long, and are capable of being thrown forward.

Before concluding the genus Ardea, we may observe

that the heron is among the animals forbidden as food by the Mosaic law. The Bittern is more particularly alluded to. Isaiah, foretelling the doom of Babylon, a doom which, its ruins show, has literally come to pass, even in the minutest points, writes under the inspiration of Him who is the God of all, I will " make it a possession for the Bittern, and pools of water; and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts." Isaiah xiv. 23. Dr. Keith observes, respecting this prophecy, "The plain on which Babylon stood is, in many places, converted into morasses, and the deep excavations into " pools of water" by the annual overflowing of the Euphrates. The ruins are then inundated so as to render many parts of them inaccessible, and large deposits of the water are left stagnant in the intervening hollows, literally verifying the threat denounced against it."

A similar doom we find in Zephaniah, predicted of Nineveh. "Flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the Bittern, shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds, for he shall uncover the cedar-work." Zeph. ii. 14.

We now pass to the Storks, (Ciconia,) characterized by a long, sharp, powerful, cylindrical beak, unimpressed with furrows; a naked skin surrounding the eyes; long tarsi, the toes before being united by a membrane as far as the first joint; short claws without any trace of pectinated edges; and ample rounded wings.

The birds of this genus are gregarious, living permanently in flocks; many are migratory: they mostly prefer flat marshy countries; their food consists of reptiles, and small mammalia, and their appetite is voracious. In the countries which they inhabit, they are held in high esteem for their utility in the destruction of reptiles, and the removal of offal.

Our first example is the WHITE STORK, (Ciconia

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alba.) Yea, the Stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times." Jer. viii. 7. The gentle and social disposition of this bird, conjoined with its utility, has

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caused it to be regarded in all ages and countries with peculiar complacency. In ancient Egypt it held the next place to the sacred ibis; and in many parts of Africa, and the East, is still regarded with reverence.

In the month of March, or beginning of April, the Stork arrives in small bands or flocks in Holland, where it universally meets with a kind and hospitable reception; returning year after year to the same town, and the same chimney-top, it re-occupies its deserted nest; and the gladness these birds manifest in again taking possession

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of their dwelling, and the attachment they testify towards their benevolent hosts, are familiar in the mouths of every one." Nor is the Stork less remarkable for its affection towards its young; and the story is well known of a female bird, which, during the conflagration at Delft, chose rather to perish with her young than abandon them to their fate. Încubation, and the rearing of the young being over by August, the Stork, in the early part of that month, prepares for its departure. The north of Africa, and especially Egypt, are the places of its winter sojourning, for there the marshes are unfrozen, its food is in abundance, and the climate is congenial. Previous to setting out on their airy journey, multitudes assemble from the surrounding districts, chattering with their bills, as if in consultation. On the appointed night, a period which appears to be universally chosen by the migratory tribes, they mount into the higher regions of the air, and sail away southwards to their destined haven.

The north of Africa, and especially Egypt, is the wintering place of this bird. In spring it spreads itself not only over Holland, but also over parts of France, Sweden, Germany, and Poland. In England it is a rare and accidental visitor. Mr. Selby informs us, that in some towns in Holland and Germany, "Storks are frequently taken when young and domesticated, and these are kept in the fish and other markets to devour the offal, and thereby prevent the accumulation of filth, which would otherwise necessarily happen. Such I met with in Amsterdam, and some other towns in Holland."

The nest of the Stork is formed of twigs and sticks, and the eggs, from three to five in number, and nearly as large as those of a goose, are of a yellowish white. Of the countless multitudes in which the Stork assembles, in order to perform its periodical migrations, some idea may be entertained from Dr. Shaw's account of the flocks, which he witnessed leaving Egypt, and passing over Mount Carmel, each of which was half a mile in breadth, and occupied a space of three hours in passing over. When reposing, the Stork stands upon one leg, with the neck bent backward, and the head resting between the

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