BIRDS OF THE STREAMS 87 



NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax griseus). 



It may be regarded as an almost annual visitor in 

 spring and autumn. It is possible that, if not molested, 

 it might even breed in southern districts. 



Haunts. — Marshes and swamps. 



Plumage. — Crown, nape, back, and scapulars black, 

 washed with green. Neck, wings, and tail lavender-grey. 

 From three to ten long white neck plumes. Forehead 

 white ; under parts white. Bill rather short and 

 blackish. Legs yellow. Length 23 in. Female smaller. 



Language. — More silent in the daytime, but at night 

 it utters a melancholy " qua-a " or " waak." 



Habits. — Very largely nocturnal, spending the day in 

 some retired place. It flies with measured flappings 

 of its rounded wings. 



Food. — Fish, frogs, snails, and water insects. 



Nidification. — Breeds in Europe, Asia, and Africa. 



GAD WALL {Anas sfrepera). 



Rather a rare visitor from autumn to spring, remaining 

 to breed in Norfolk, and sparingly in other suitable 

 parts. It is a fresh- water Duck. 



Observation. — In general appearance much like female 

 Wild Duck, but note conspicuous white speculum. 



Plumage. — Head and neck light brown, mottled with 

 darker brown. Back marked with greyish crescentic 

 markings on a darker ground. Greater wing-coverts 

 blackish ; median wing-coverts chestnut. Primaries 

 brown ; secondaries black and brown ; speculum white ; 

 rump and upper tail-coverts bluish black. Tail dark 



