630 



AYES -EGRET...HERON 



THE LITTLE EGRET' 



Js the size of a fowl. The hind head is crested, and two of the feathers, 

 which are five inches in length, hang gracefully behind. The whole plu- 

 mage is of a beautiful white, and the elegance of the bird is much increased 

 by the long, loose feathers which cover and hang over the rump; their flesh 

 is said to be excellent. It is conjectured that both the crane and egret were 

 formerly inhabitants of Great Britain ; but this can hardly be said of them 

 at present, notwithstanding a solitary instance or two of their having beeu 

 shot there. In America there are egrets found of a reddish, and some of a 

 black color ; but they differ in no other respect from the European. 



THE NIGHT HERON** 



^^^^^^^^M 





Is found in Europe and America. In the United States it is known by the 

 name of qua bird, and breeds usually in the most solitary and deeply shaded 

 parts of a cedar swamp. The males regularlv direct their course every 

 evening at twilight towards the marshes, uttering in a hoarse and hollow 

 tone, the sound qua. At this hour, also, all the nurseries in the swamps are 



1 Ardca garzctta, Lin. 



2 Ardea nycticorax, Lin. 



