THE NIGHT HERON. 227 



variety of another class of Waders, called Herons, 

 which are not only much more abundant, but more 

 widely distributed, many of the species extending 

 their migrations as far to the north as the State of 

 Maine. Among those with which our readers are 

 most likely to be familiar, are the Night Heron, or 

 Qua-Bird, the Bittern, the Great White Egret, and 

 the Snowy Heron, or Little Egret. A full-plumaged 

 male Night Heron is unquestionably a beautiful bird. 

 Standing about two feet in height, its head crowned 

 with a loose, flowing crest of elongated feathers of a 

 shining green of the deepest shade, from the centre 

 of which project three slender feathers, pure white, 

 and about eight inches in length, each having its 

 edges so rolled up as to make it a perfect tube. Tho 

 upper part of the back and the scapulars are of a 

 deep blackish green, the wings grey, with a shade of 

 lilac. The throat is pure white, which gradually 

 shades into a light cream color upon the breast and 

 whole lower parts. 



Except during the breeding season, this is a shy 

 and wary bird, and extremely difficult to approach. 

 While a flock is engaged in feeding, one of their 

 number acts as sentinel, to give the alarm at the 

 least sound of danger. This is a common practice 

 with many birds of this class, and it is said that the 

 Spoonbills feed with great confidence when in com- 

 pany with Herons, taking warning at the voice of 

 their sentinel. The Night Heron may be examined 

 at leisure, and even shot in great numbers, by secre- 

 ting oneself near the spot where they regularly roost 



