BY EDGAR A. MEARNS. 79 



my first movement the spell was broken, and the Heron flew away 

 with a squawk that awoke the echoes. At first its legs dangled ; 

 afterward they were extended straight out beyond its tail. 



Night Herons feed almost exclusively upon fishes and batrachians. 

 They are frequently seen flying along the Hudson during summer 

 evenings. I also see them, throughout the summer, about some ponds 

 near my residence. They depart during September. They breed in 

 the Central Park, New York City, where I have seen one as late as 

 November 2, 1880. I also shot an adult bird at Sayville, Long Island, 

 on October 6, 1880. I know of four large Heronries along the Hud- 

 son River. The largest one, judging from accounts of it, is at, or 

 near, Low Point, in Dutchess County. Another, the highest up the 

 river, is located on a low island, below Albany, where Mr. Robt. T. 

 Morris has taken its eggs, and where I saw the birds in abundance, 

 during the breeding season, in 1875. 



Dimensions. — Average measurement of eleven adults : length, 26-18 ; 

 stretch, 45-85; wing, 12-00; tail, 4*75; length from tip of bill to end 

 of toes, 33-55; bill from nostril, 2-1 1 ; enlmen, 3-0(5 ; gape, 4-22 ; length 

 of nasal orifice, -07; tarsus, 329 ; hallex, 1-30; its claw, -77; inner 

 toe, 1-92; its claw, -58; middle toe, 2 90; its claw, -57: middle toe and 

 its claw, 3-55; outer toe, 2-14; its claw, -46; length of occipital 

 plumes, 8*33. 



154. Botaurus lentiginosus, Montague. American Bittern. 

 A spring and fall migrant; possibly remains during summer, and 

 breeds. 



155. Ardetta exilis, Gmelin. Least Bittern. The late Fred- 

 eric S. Osborn found this species near his residence, at Garrisons, on 

 the Hudson, in spring. 



Family, CHARADRIIDJE. 



156. Charadrius dominicus, Mailer. American Golden 

 Plover. Only observed as an autumnal migrant. Shot at Cornwall. 



157. Oxyechus vociferus, Linne. Kildeeu Plover. Pare 

 during migrations. 



Family, SCOLOPACIDJS. 



158. Philohela minor, Gmelin. American Woodcock. A 

 very abundant summer resident; breeds. Arrives early in March, and 

 departs late in November. 



This glorious game-bird infests all of our swampy swales and 

 meadows, and affords rare sport to the gunners. It reaches us by 

 the beginning of March, unless the season should be backward, and 

 breeding begins early. The young ones are running about early in 



