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The Blue Heron is said to be a constant resident in all the 

 Southern States, and according to Wilson, its nest has been found 

 in the lower parts of New Jersey, of which, and their manners du- 

 ring the season of incubation and rearing their young, he gives 

 the following account : 



" On the top of the tallest cedars, the Herons construct their 

 nests, ten or fifteen pairs sometimes occupying a particular part of 

 the swamp. The nests are large, formed of slicks, and lined with 

 smaller twigs ; each occupies the top of a single tree. The eggs 

 are generally four, of an oblong, pointed form, larger than these of 

 a hen, and of a light greenish-blue, without any spots. The young 

 are produced about the middle of May, and remain on the trees un- 

 til they are full as heavy as the old ones, being extremely fat be- 

 fore they are able to fly. They breed but once in the season. If 

 disturbed in their breeding place^the old birds fly occasionally over 

 the spot, sometimes honking like a goose, and sometimes uttering a 

 coarse, hollow, grunting noise^ like that of a hog,- but much louder," 



ARDEA NYCTICORAX— LINN. 



BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 



Ardeanycticorax, Wils. Amer. Orn. 



Ar.lea nycticorax, Bonap. Syn. 



Quabird, or American Night Heron, Ardea discors, Null. Man. 



Night Heron, Ardea nycticorax, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill black, stout at base, gradually tapering 

 to the end ; from the corner of the mouth to the end of the upper 

 mandible about four inches and a half long ; the lower mandible is 

 three-eighths of an inch shorter ; toward the point dull yellow, or 

 horn color ; upper mandible much curved toward the point ; length 

 of tarsi three inches and an eighth. Adult with the upper part of 

 the head black, glossed with green, with three long occipital 

 plumes rolled into one ; throat white ; fore part of the neck cream 

 color ; sides arid hind part of the neck light grayish-white, with a 

 slight tinge of lilac ; back deep bluish-green ; wings, tail, and 



