CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 609 



NYCTICORAX, Steph. 



N. [grisea, L.] nycticorax, var. naevius, Bodd. (Nyctiardx gardeni 

 Abbott's Catalogue.) Black-crowned Night Heron. Squawk, 

 &c. 



Bluish gray ; crown and shoulders glossy green ; two or three 

 long, white occipital plumes ; lower parts, &c., white or yellow- 

 ish ; young light brown, speckled with white. Length, 24^ 

 inches ; bill, 3 inches ; tarsus, 3 inches. 



"Arrives in April, and seldom goes south before November r 

 and it is not an unusual occurrence to find them in midwinter. 

 At such times they frequent spring-holes, but what they there 

 find to subsist upon deponent saith not. During the day 

 being strictly nocturnal they remain in the swamps and wood- 

 lands, and fly to their feeding- grounds after the sun is fairly 

 down. They feed exclusively upon fish, unless it be in winter. 

 From their note, which is a coarse, guttural sound, they have 

 received the name of ' qua ' or ' quok/ or from some the equally 

 meaningless ' qua-bird.' They build among large trees, at less 

 elevation than herons generally choose, raising but a single brood. 

 Strictly inoffensive." 



Section IV ATA TORES. 



Swimmers. 



ORDER LAMELLIROSTRES. 



SUB-ORDER ANSERES. 



Ducks, &c. 



Family ANATIDJE. 



Ducks. 



MERGANSER, Briss. 



M. americanus, Cass. (Mergus merganser, L.) American Merganser. 

 Goosander. Fish Duck. Shelldrake. 



Bill narrow, not black, with fine teeth along edge of mandibles, 

 and at front, pointing backwards ; head greenish black, bearing 



2o 



