NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 95 



nesting with them in trees and bushes, often in large communities in 

 deep swamps. 



The eggs are bluish-green, two to four in number, generally more 

 oval than other Herons' eggs are. The sizes vary from 1.60 to 1.82 in 

 length by 1.25 to 1.35 in breadth. 



The young of this Heron are pure white, and should not be con- 

 founded with immature specimens of A. candidissima, Snowy Heron, 

 which is of the same size and similar form. 



201. Ardea virescens LINN [494-] 



Green Heron. 



Hab. Canada and Oregon, southward to northern South America and the West Indies. 



Throughout the United States in all favorable localities this is a 

 well-known and an abundant bird, breeding in suitable places any- 

 where in its range. It has a number of common names, among which 

 " Fly-up-the-Creek " is probably the most refined. It is resident in the 

 West Indies and in Central America, and is found in the northern 

 regions of South America. The bird frequents the borders of ponds 

 and swamps, or it may be found along running streams whose banks 

 are fringed with trees or thick shrubbery. While on the wing it fre- 

 quently utters its familiar guttural cry or squawk. Its food consists of 

 insects and aquatic larvae, Crustacea and small fishes, for which it usually 

 searches in the twilight. During the day it is sluggish, and may be 

 found quietly resting. 



The nest of this Heron is made of twigs, very loosely put together ; 

 it is placed in the branches of trees or bushes on the border of a stream 

 or swamp ; sometimes in an orchard tree at considerable distance from 

 water. 



The eggs are light greenish-blue, elliptical in shape and are from 

 three to six in number, four being the usual nest complement. Average 

 measurement is i.5ox 1.14. 



202. Nycticorax nycticorax nsevius (BODD.) [495-] 



Black-crowned Night Heron. 



Hab. America, from the British Possessions southward to the Falkland Islands. 



A handsome bird, whose neck and legs are not so long as those of 

 other Herons. It has a stout body, and its total length is about two 

 feet. It has two or three very long white, filamentous plumes spring- 

 ing from the occiput. 



The Black-crowned Night Heron, Qua-bird or Squawk, as it is 

 variously called, is found throughout the entire continent of America, 

 except the Arctic regions. It breeds in several of the West Indies, 



