AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 125 



frequent these latter localities in the summer is 

 proved by the fact that old birds and nestlings are 

 annually received thence in Leadenhall Market ; but 

 their comparative present scarcity is also proved by 

 the prices asked for tliem, which are more than 

 double the amount at which I frequently procured 

 them between 1846 and 1851. 



This species commences to nest about the middle 

 of May, sometimes in congregations composed entirely 

 of its own species, but, in my experience, most fre- 

 quently in company with other members of the Heron 

 family. The nests are slightly but solidly built of 

 twigs and reed-stalks, and usually situated in low- 

 growing bushes in marshy jungles, but occasionally in 

 trees at a considerable height, and now and then 

 amongst canes and reeds only a few inches above the 

 ground or water. The eggs are generally four in 

 number, and in colour are of the usual greenish blue 

 that prevails amongst the Herons. The usual note 

 of the Night Heron is a plaintive " sqauk," but wlien 

 the birds are quarrelling amongst themselves, as is 

 constantly the case, a very guttural croak, somewhat 

 resembling the bark of an angry Raven, is their usual 

 way of expressing their feelings ; in fact, I never have 

 heard the natural note above mentioned from any of 

 the many birds of this species that I have kept in 

 confinement, till after sunset. 



The habits of these beautiful birds, as implied by 

 their name, are strictly iiocturnal. In the daytime 

 they generally remain perched on one leg for hours 

 on a bough in deep shade ; their flight is as noiseless 

 as that of the Owls, but as soon as the sun is low, 

 the small fishes and reptiles in their neighbourhood 

 have a very bad time, as the Night Heron is as 



