HERONS, RAILS, ETC. 229 



more than all other birds put together, is migratory. 

 It is first seen in the Middle States about April I, 

 and winter has fairly set in before it retires to a more 

 congenial clime. As a general thing they have es- 

 caped serious molestation, and in many localities are 

 very tame. I have often walked within ten steps of 

 them without their being alarmed, and more often 

 have had them come very near to me when I was sit- 

 ting on a ditch-bank watching the aquatic life before 

 me. I have known them to walk to the very door 

 of a spring-house, on the watch for minnows, and pay 

 little attention to the milkmaid, when she appeared. 

 A little brook with fish and frogs, a few trees near 

 by for a " heronry," and these little fellows are happy. 

 Gain their confidence, as you readily can, and they 

 will prove a constant source of amusement, and, 

 better than that, if there can be something better, 

 they will help in keeping down the grasshoppers ; 

 and if they are not equal to swallowing a meadow- 

 mouse, they can and will chase him out of the pasture. 



The nest of this little heron is but a mere matter 

 of a few loosely-laid sticks, and the four or five eggs 

 are in constant danger of tumbling to the ground, 

 and this untoward fate does sometimes befall the 

 young birds. 



The Night-heron, which is known so generally 

 as the " Quok," a name derived from the bird's ordi- 

 nary cry when flying, is in some respects a more in- 

 teresting bird than any other of the family. It is 

 still abundant and, not being extremely timid, is 

 readily observed. As its name implies, it is noc- 

 turnal, and yet it is by no means blind in broad day- 



