68 WADING BIRDS. 



Sexes nearly similar in plumage, and scarcely distinguishable from 

 the young. The moult annual. ^ 



These are shy and solitary birds, dwelling in arid and desert plains, 

 where they usually lie concealed, but fly rapidly to a great elevation 

 as soon as they are aware of being discovered. They alight on trees, 

 and walk with agility, keeping the tail in motion when alarmed. 

 They nest in the grass, have a loud and shrill voice, and subsist prin- 

 cipally upon frogs and insects. The genus, consisting of but one 

 well known species, is peculiar to the warmer parts of America, and 

 is almost intermediate in its habits and structure with Ardea and 

 Kumenius, (the Herons and Curlews.) It is also nearly allied to the 

 Rails, with which indeed some have arranged it. 



SCOLOPACEOUS COURLAN. 



( Aramus scolopaceus, YiEii.1.. Bonap. Am. Orn. iv. p. 111. pi. 26. 



fig. 2. Ardea scolopacea, Gmel. Lath. Orn. ii. p 701. sp. 89.) 

 Sp. Charact. — Brown, glossed with green; feathers longitudinally 



marked with white in the middle ; rump, primaries, and tail 



feathers, without spots. 



This singular bird principally inhabits Cayenne, Brazil 

 and Paraguay, where it is rather common ; it is numerous 

 in the island of Cuba, and other warm parts of America. 

 In the United States, Florida appears to be its most natural 

 residence, and a few instances have occurred of its visiting 

 the Middle States. The Courlan leads a solitary life, or only 

 associates by pairs. By night as well as day they are heard 

 crying out in a loud and son orous voice carau ! and are 

 well entitled to the name of the supposed ^crying-bird^ of 

 Bartram. Mollusca, frogs, and other aquatic animals are its 

 ordinary food. It is very shy, carefully hiding itself, but 

 when aware of being discovered, it starts rapidly to a great 

 elevation, and its flight is long continued. They also walk 

 with great agility, but never willingly wade into the water ; 

 they alight on the summits of trees, and build in the grass. 



