ARDEID^E — THE HERONS — BUTOEIDES. 53 



silently and slowly, at times uttering a guttural croaking scream, generally aligliting 

 again at a short distance. If it hides in a tree, it sits so quietly that it can only with 

 difficulty be distinguished from the foliage. It is generally unsuspicious, and easily 

 shot. It usually feeds in the twilight, is sluggish, and rests in the day. Its food 

 consists of insects, aquatic larvae, Crustacea, and small fishes ; although sometimes 

 catching larger ones, which it then breaks in pieces. 



Mr. Salvin found it (piite common in Guatemala, both on all the rivers along the 

 coast, among the mangrove swamps, and in the interior. About the Lake of Duefias 

 it was the most common species of Heron. It is mentioned by the Newtons as very 

 common in St. Croix, where it is especially tyrannized over by the Tyrannus domini- 

 censis. Being of a mild and inoffensive disposition, it only protests against these 

 attacks by a few loud and hoarse croaks, and then drops into the nearest covert for 

 shelter. The common Humming-bird of the island, Eulampis chlorolaimus, also gives 

 chase to it, and compels it to change the direction of its flight. This bird breeds in 

 St. Croix from March to July, and has two broods in the year. The nest is generally 

 placed in a tall tree, near dwelling-houses ; for this bird seems to seek the society 

 and protection of man. The stomach of one that had been shot was found to contain 

 five lizards, one of them of good size, one large cricket, with the remains of beetles. 

 The young in the down Avere black. Mr. E. C. Taylor found that this species was 

 common in Trinidad, and also in all the other West India Islands he visited. 

 Leotaud states that it is frequently met with in Trinidad,, where it keeps itself 

 among the reeds that cover the overflowed places, and, at other times, among the 

 mangrove trees. Its food, for which it searches in the night, is generally the same 

 as that of the larger Herons. Whenever observed in the daytime, it seemed to be 

 plunged into a profound sleep. It is a resident of Trinidad, and breeds there. 



In Jamaica this bird is known as the Crab-catcher. According to Gosse, it is 

 found on that island wherever there is running water, and most abundantly where 

 the streams expand into broad reedy pools. It is described as perfectly solitary in 

 its habits, and usually too wary to allow a near approach. When wounded so as to 

 be unable to fly, it seeks to escape by running, which it does very swiftly, its neck at 

 the time projecting horizontally, and at intervals it utters a low cluck. Its ordinary 

 call is a loud scream, harsh and guttural. 



According to Giraud, this Heron is not so abundant on Long Island as it is in 

 many places in the interior. It arrives about the middle of April, and frequents low 

 and marshy situations. It hunts by day as well as by night, and shows a great deal 

 of address in taking its prey, feeding on frogs, lizards, and various small reptiles 

 such as are found in low boggy grounds. It visits the neighboring mill-ponds and 

 creeks, is a dexterous fisher, and at times darts down after small eels, with which it 

 mounts in the air. Occasionally, as if for amusement, this Heron drops its prey 

 — catching it again, however, before it reaches the ground. 



Wilson states that this Heron builds its nest as early as the 20th of April, usually 

 in single pairs, but sometimes in companies. This we have never known it to do. 

 It is frequently seen in company with the Night Heron, and, at the South, with other 

 species ; but it must be very unusual for two pairs of this bird to be found nesting 

 in company. The nest is fixed among the branches of trees, is constructed of small 

 sticks lined with finer twigs, and is of considerable size, and very loosely put 

 together. The young do not leave the nest until they are able to fly, and, until late 

 in the autumn, are to be seen in the meadows and marshes. 



A few of this species -winter in Florida and Lower Louisiana, where some also 

 reside all the year ; but the majority retire southwards, beyond our limits. These 



