248 



VERTEBRATES : BIRDS. 

 Fig. 130. 



Bittern or Stake-driver, B. lentiginosus, Steph. 



The Genus Butoridcs has the bill gently curved from 

 the base above, and the tail with twelve feathers. It is 

 represented by the Green Heron or Fly-up-the-Creek, B. 

 virescens, Bonap., of the United States generally, which 

 is fifteen inches long, the wing seven and a half inches. 



The Genus Nyctiardca has the bill very stout, the end 

 of the upper mandible gently decurved, and an occipital 

 plume of three feathers rolled together. 



The Night Heron, N. Gardeni, Baird, of the United 

 States generally, is twenty-five inches long, and the wing 

 twelve and a half inches ; the head above and middle of 

 the back steel-green ; wings and tail ashy blue ; forehead, 

 the long occipital feathers, and under parts, white. This 

 species breeds in communities, making nests in trees 

 around stagnant ponds or in swamps ; eggs four, light 

 sea-green. These birds perform their migrations in the 

 night, at which times their loud, hoarse note may be 

 heard, which has been represented by the syllable qua. 



The Genus Nyctherodius has the bill very thick. 



The Yellow-crowned Night Heron, N. violaccns, Reich., 



