90 WADING BIRDS. 



extremely fearless when mate and young demand their protection. 

 Said Audubon, writing of the fearlessness of the Herons during 

 this period, " As the strength of their attachment toward their 

 mates or progeny increases through the process of time, as is the 

 case with the better part of our own species, lovers and parents 

 perform acts of heroism which individuals having no such attach- 

 ment to each other would never dare to contemplate." He was of 

 the opinion that under the influence of affection the thoughts of 

 birds change; they become careless of themselves, and thus appear 

 fearless and indifferent to danger. No one can study birds in 

 the field without becoming convinced that these creatures have 

 thoughts, and that they are capable of heroic devotion. Few men 

 will fight more valiantly for home and young than will many of 

 these timid and gentle birds. 



YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 



Nycticorax violaceus. 



Char. General plumage ashy blue, darker on wings and tail, paler 

 beneath ; feathers of upper parts with medial stripe of black ; dorsal 

 plumes narrow and extremely long, reaching beyond the tail ; crown, 

 patch on side of head, and long narrow plumes creamy yellow ; bill stout 

 and black, sometimes tinged in patches with greenish yellow; legs yellow- 

 ish green. Young grayish brown, feathers of upper parts with medial 

 stripe of pale buff. Length 22 to 28 inches. 



Nest. In a community usually near a stream ; placed on a lower branch 

 of a tree, — a mere platform of dry twigs. 



Eggs. 3-6 (usually 4) ; pale and dull blue, slightly tinged with green; 

 2.C0 X 1.45. 



This species has been frequently named the White-crowned 

 Night Heron by authors because the yellow color of the head and 

 plumes fades very soon after death, and finally the feathers be- 

 come entirely white. It is found in the warmer portions of this 

 Eastern Province, breeding in the Carolinas and the Ohio valley, 

 and south to the Gulf States. It is found also in South Ainerica. 

 Occasionally examples are met with to the northward of the usual 

 habitat, two having been captured in Massachusetts. 



In habits, as in appearance, this bird differs little from its North- 

 ern congener, though it is less tamable and not so easily domesti- 

 cated ; rebelling to the end against captivity, and yearning ever 

 for a return to the freedom of a wild life. Sometimes these birds 

 search for food during the daytime, but in general they are strictly 

 nocturnal, and feed as well as migrate at night. Their diet consists 

 chiefly of small reptiles and young birds. 



