176 ARDEID &, 
plumes are also more developed, and the tarsus is longer than the middle toe and claw, 
whereas in Nycticoraxz these are about equal. 
By American ornithologists this bird is called the “ White- or Yellow-crowned ” 
Night-Heron, the former being the most appropriate title, as the yellow or buff crown 
is characteristic of the species in winter or immature plumage. 
In the United States NV. violacea does not breed north of the Carolinas, though 
occasionally specimens are met with in higher latitudes. It is resident in some 
of the Central-American States, and is noticed as breeding in Western Mexico by 
Grayson, and again as a resident in Costa Rica by Cherrie. Grayson believed that a 
few pairs bred on Socorro Island and on the Tres Marias. 
N. violacea appears to be, from all accounts, one of the most typical of the Night- 
Herons as regards its habits, being much more active during early dawn than in the 
daytime. ‘The food consists mainly of crabs, but it also, like other Herons, devours 
fish, lizards, small snakes and rodents, insects, snails, &c. 
This species breeds in colonies, and the nest is a loosely built structure of small 
sticks, and is often to be found at a low elevation on the boughs of the mangroves and 
in bushes, but is sometimes placed on trees at a considerable height. ‘The eggs are 
three in number. 
PILHERODIUS. 
Pitherodius, Bp. Consp. Av. ii. p. 189 (1855); Ridgw. Bull. U. 8. Geol. & Geogr. Surv. iv. p. 224 
(1878) ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxvi. p. 171 (1898). 
The genus Pilherodius contains but a single species, which has usually been placed 
amongst the Night-Herons. It differs, however, from the typical members of the 
latter group, such as Vycticorax, in having the bill serrated near the tip, with only a 
slightly indicated subterminal notch. Other generic characters are given by Dr. Bowdler 
Sharpe in the ‘Catalogue of Birds,’ from which we extract the following :—“ Bill 
moderately long, exceeding the length of the middle toe and claw; tarsus longer 
than the culmen, and reticulated in front with hexagonal scales; throat entirely 
feathered; nape with four ornamental white plumes depending over the back.” 
Mr. Ridgway’s comparative characters are the following :—‘ Size medium, orbits and 
anterior portion of malar region naked. Occiput with two extremely elongated, linear, 
compact-webbed plumes. Jugular plumes broad, blended. No scapular plumes. 
Colour white, the crown and occiput black. Middle toe shorter than culmen ; culmen 
shorter than occiput.” 
1. Pilherodius pileatus. 
Le Héron blanc huppé de Cayenne, Daubent. Pl. Enl. viii. t. 907". 
Ardea pileata, Bodd. Tabl. Pl. Enl. p. 54°. 
Pilherodius pileatus, Bp. Consp. Av. ii. p. 189°; Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N.Y. vii. p.501°; Ridgw. Bull. 
U.S. Geol. & Geogr. Surv. iv. p. 224°; Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxvi. pp. 171°, 2777. 
