ARDEID^E — THE HERONS — NYCTHERODIUS. 65 



son states that it is abundant, and that it breeds in the Bermudas ; but in this he was 

 misinformed. INIajor AVedderburn notes it as only of rare and occasional occurrence 

 there, and only mentions three instances as coming within his knowledge : two of 

 the birds were killed in April, and one in September. 



Wilson states that a specimen was shot on the Schuylkill, near Philadelphia, and 

 that it frequently extends its migrations into Virginia. He found it inhabiting the 

 lower parts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana in the summer season, reposing 

 during the day among low swampy woods, and feeding only at night. It builds in 

 -societies, making nests of sticks in the branches of low trees. It was not numerous, 

 and its solitary mode of life was the cause of its being little known. It appeared 

 to have a strong attachment for the vicinity of the ocean, and to feed on fish, crabs, 

 and lizards — principally the former. 



Audubon remarks that it is wholly migratory within the United States, arriving 

 only about the end of March, and leaving in the middle of October. In some parts 

 of the Southern States it is said to be quite abundant, while in others it is rarely 

 met with. In some portions of Florida it breeds in great numbers. On his visit to 

 Texas he saw a few of this species on an island in Bale Blanche, and again on Galves- 

 ton Island, where it was plentiful. On the Mississippi it is rare above Natchez, but a 

 few straggle farther up the river. He does not regard it as entirely nocturnal, as 

 he has seen it searching ior food at all hours of the day ; and while at Galveston he 

 has frequently seen a large flock similarly occupied. It is probable that this only 

 occurs Avhen the bird is feeding its young. I have noticed the same exceptional con- 

 duct by day on the part of the Jfight Heron, at the same season, when it loads itself 

 with a supply for its young, feeding them by regurgitating the contents of its gullet. 



Mr. Audubon satisfied himself that this bird performs its migratory movements 

 in the night, having seen it come down from a height in the air, after sunrise, for 

 rest and food. Its flight is slow and less protracted than that of the Night Heron. 

 When surprised on its perch, it rises perpendicularly a short distance and flies off in 

 a straight line. When on the ground, it is less elegant in its movements than most 

 of the other Herons. Its pace is less sedate, its movements in seizing its prey less 

 rapid, and it feeds more in the manner of the domestic fowl. Its food is very varied, 

 consisting of snails, fish, small snakes, crabs, crays, lizards, leeches, small quadru- 

 peds, young birds, etc. He adds that one which had l)een killed by Mr. Edward 

 Harris, on the island of Terre Blanche, about four o'clock in the afternoon, when 

 opened the next morning Avas found to have swallowed a young terrapin, and that 

 this was still alive when liberated. The nest of this Heron is placed in either a 

 high or low situation, according to the nature of the place selected for its breed- 

 ing-grou]id. In the interior of swampy woods nests were found on the tops of the 

 loftiest cypresses, as well as on low bushes, but not so close together as with other 

 Herons ; in the Florida Keys they were seen either on the tops of the mangroves 

 or on their lower branches, just above the water. In the Carolinas this bird builds 

 on low bushes on the edge of swamps, the nest being, like that of the other Herons, 

 formed of dry sticks loosely put together, lined with a few weeds and fibrous roots. 

 The eggs are three in mimber, and never more. The young do not remain in the nest 

 until able to fly, but even leave the tree or bush to follow their parents to the shore. 

 When alarmed, they can scramble ofE with considerable agility and hide. This bird 

 • breeds in Florida six weeks sooner than in South Carolina, two broods being usually 

 raised in both sections. The slender plumes on the back of the head commonly fall 

 off after incubation has commenced. AMien wounded, it defends itself vigorously 

 with its claws and bill, and can inflict severe scratches. 



VOL. I. — 9. 



