Some Observations on a remarkably coloured Heron

ON March 26th, 1944, I was watching with glasses some Herons (Ardea c. cinerea) in a small heronry near Athenry, Co. Galway, Eire. There were two birds on a newly started (late) nest. The nest was in a beech tree, and at that time the trees were bare so that it was in full view. The sun was behind me and the light excellent. One bird had just alighted and was presenting the other bird with a stick...