N. VIOLACEUS ! YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 267 



communism to the extent of using each other's nests 

 in some cases. The eggs resemble those of other 

 Herons in shape and color, and they measure on an 

 average 2.10 X 1.45 ; but they are quite variable in 

 dimensions. 



Though properly a summer resident, the Night Heron 

 is occasionally found with us all the year round. Ac- 

 cording to the " Oologist," (v, 1880, p. 84) individuals 

 have been seen on Shelter Island, Conn., in January 

 and February, 1870, and January 28, 1881 ; as well as in 

 February, 1880, at Norwich, Conn, (ibid., p. 78). Mr. 

 C. J. Maynard, in giving a good account of this species, 

 speaks of its occurrence all winter in Massachusetts 

 (Birds Eastern N. Am., 1881, p. 418). 



YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 



NYCTERODIUS VIOLACEUS (Linn.) Reich. 



Chars. Bill extremely stout, shorter than tarsus ; culmen and 

 gonys both much curved ; tarsus longer than middle toe and 

 claw, reticulate excepting above in front. Occiput in the breed- 

 ing season with a dependent crest. General color light grayish- 

 blue, darker on back, where the feathers have black centres and 

 pale edges, and paler on under parts. Head and upper neck 

 behind, with cheek patches, the crown, and most of the crest, 

 white, more or less tinged with buff. Bill black ; eyes orange ; 

 lores greenish ; bill and feet black and yellow. Length about 

 24.00 ; extent, 44.00 ; wing, 12.00 ; tail, 5.00 ; bill scarcely 3.00, 

 over 0.50 deep at base ; tibiae bare 2.00 ; tarsus, 4.00 ; middle toe 

 and claw, 275. Young quite different, but readily known by the 

 stout bill and other characters. 



A rare and casual visitor from the South. We have 

 information of only two instances in which the bird 



