306 Synopsis of the Birds 



rather short, thick, densely covered with long, broad, loose, 

 erectile feathers, merely downy above. Body plump. 



Chiefly nocturnal. Keep in marshes, sedgy places. Feed 

 principally on reptiles, insects, worms, and spawn ; seldom 

 on fishes. When excited erect their neck feathers. 



f Adult with long, narrow, tapering, occipital feathers. 



231. Ardea violacea, L. Crested; ash, beneath paler ; up- 

 per parts streaked with black, with long, loosely-webbed 

 tapering feathers ; crown, and spot on each cheek white; 

 two occipital feathers. 



Yellow-crowned Heron, Ardea violacea, Wils. Am. Orn. 

 viii. p. 26. pi. 65. fig. l. adult. 



Inhabits common in the southern and south-western states, 

 and the West Indies ; extending its migrations occasionally 

 to the middle ones. 



232. Ardea nycticorax, L. Whitish; crown and back green- 

 ish-black ; rump, wings and tail, pale ash; three whitish 

 occipital feathers. 



Young, brown streaked with reddish-white ; beneath white, 

 6treaked will) dusky ; wing and tail feathers plain dusky, the 

 former with a spot of white at tip : no occipital feathers. 



Night Heron, or Qua bird, Ardea nycticorax, Wils. Am. 

 Orn. vii. p. ill. pi. 51. fig. 2. adult, fig. 3. young. 



Inhabits both continents : common in Pennsylvania and 

 New-Jersey : leaves the northern and middle states during 

 winter. 



233. Arde^ ccerulea, L. Crested; bluish-slate; feathers of 

 the back and breast, slender and elongated ; head and neck 

 purplish-brown ; three occipital feathers. 



Young not crested, head and neck of the same color with 

 the body. 



Blue Crane, or Heron, Ardea crerulea, Wils. Am. Orn. vii. 

 p. lll.pl. Ql.fig. 3. adult. 





