432 NYCTICORAX. NIGHT-HERON. 



Feet long, moderately stout. Tibia bare for about a 

 fourth of its length, and reticulated. Tarsus of moderate 

 length, covered anteriorly above with scutella or large scales, 

 below with hexagonal scales. Toes rather long, rather 

 slender, scutellate above, flat beneath ; first toe stout, second 

 a little shorter than the first. Claws small or of moderate 

 size, arched, compressed, narrowed beneath, acute, that of 

 the middle toe serrate on its inner thin edge. 



Plumage full, soft, blended. Feathers on the upper part 

 of the head and nape elongated, oblong ; some of those on 

 the occiput very long, linear, forming a pendent, erectile 

 crest ; on the neck, especially its hind part, rather long, and 

 inclined obliquely backwards ; those of its lower part in 

 front elongated and rounded ; on the back ovato-oblong ; 

 those on its fore part elongated, the rest small and somewhat 

 downy; on the lower parts long and rather loose. Wings 

 broad, of about twenty-six quills ; the second and third 

 longest, the first a little shorter. Tail short, even, of twelve 

 broad, rounded feathers. 



Species of this genus occur on both continents. They 

 are more active than the Herons, and less graceful in their 

 motions than the Egrets. Their food is the same as that of 

 those genera. They nestle on the ground, or on trees or 

 bushes, laying three or four broadly elliptical pale blue eggs. 



Only one species is found in Britain, where it is of very 

 rare occurrence. 



