56 WADING BIRDS. 



numbers, by mischievous boys, they still lay again imme- 

 diately after, and usually succeed in raising a sufficient 

 brood. The nests, always in trees, are composed of twigs, 

 slightly interlaced, more shallow and slovenly than those of 

 the Crow, and though often one, sometimes as many as two 

 or three nests are built in the same tree. The eggs about 

 4, are as large as those of the common hen, and of a 

 pale greenish blue color. The marsh is usually whitened 

 by the excrements of these birds; and the fragments of 

 broken egg shells, old nests, and small fish, which they have 

 dropped while feeding their young, give a characteristic 

 picture of the slovenly, indolent, and voracious character of 

 the occupants of these eyries. 



On entering these dark and secluded retreats of the Night 

 Heron, the ear is assailed by the confused and choking noise 

 uttered by the old and young, which, however, instantly 

 ceases the moment the intruder is observed, and the whole 

 throng, lately so clamorous, rise into the air in silence, and 

 fly to the tops of the trees in some other part of the wood, 

 while parties of the old birds, of from eight to ten, make 

 occasional reconnoitering circuits over the spot, as if to 

 observe, what may be going on in their surprised domicil. 



However deficient these nocturnal birds may be in vision 

 by day, their faculty of hearing is so acute, that it is almost 

 impossible, with every precaution, to penetrate near their 

 residence without being discovered. As soon as the young 

 are able, and long before they are capable of flying, they 

 climb to the highest part of the trees near their nests, as if 

 to solicit the attention and watch the return and protection 

 of their officious parents ; and yet, with every precaution, 

 the young fall victims to the prowling hawks, who hovering 

 round, make an occasional sweep among their timorous ranks. 



About the middle of October, the Qua Birds begin to 

 retire from this part of Massachusetts, towards their southern 



