56 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Feb. 



trees, where such are to be had near their feeding-grounds ; and 

 that though some individuals in America build among bushes 

 and even on the ground, they are few in number and exceptions 

 to the general rule. Is not America, then, their natural place 

 of abode? We find, on turning to Europe and India, these 

 birds decreasing in size, and building their nests in the best 

 situation the locality affords; — and just as we see them thus 

 as it were forced out of their natural choice of breeding-grounds, 

 so we find them suffering in consequence, and becoming smaller ; 

 though 'their plumage and general characters remain unchanged, 

 agreeing precisely with our American species. Next to that of 

 the continent of America, we would place the heron of India, and 

 lastly the smaller bird of Europe, where I think it is not at all 

 at home. 



In closing these few notes, I would ask, are there not many 

 birds of other continents, differing but slightly in form and 

 habits with similar species on our own, set down and named as 

 distinct species ? and might not a careful investigation into their 

 habits and necessities, enable us to fix upon their natural home, 

 and set down many as one species, though, like the night-heron, 

 they may be found in a greater or less variety of form ? 



[Prof. Baird, one of the best authorities on American ornithol- 

 ogy, considers the night-heron of America distinct from the Euro- 

 pean species. At the same time it is unfortunately too common 

 for American authors to attach undue importance to minute points 

 of difference between birds inhabiting the eastern and western 

 sides of the Atlantic. There are many birds, e. g. the osprey 

 and the crow, respecting which a similar parallel to our author's 

 case might be drawn ; and we have little doubt that, with extended 

 knowledge, many more species than is usually supposed will be 

 found to inhabit both continents. We would suggest the necessity 

 of carefully comparing a large series of European and Indian skins 

 with American specimens, before passing final judgment on this 

 oft-mooted question. The size of specimens from any locality 

 varies much ; and, as far as we remember, the night-heron in 

 England usually breeds in trees. — J. F. w.] 



