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KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Genus NYCTICORAX Stephens. 



Subgenus NYCTICORAX. 



NYCTICORAX NYCTICORAX N^EVIUS {Bodd.). 

 Black=crowned Night Heron. 



Crown, head, back, and scapulars greenish black ; forehead, lores, most of the neck and under 

 parts white or ash)' white. Wings and tail gray ; legs and feet yellow : two or three verv long 

 occiputal^plumes, white, in the breeding season. 



Length, 24 to 26: Wing, 11; Tarsus, 3.10 to 3.40; Tail. 4.20 to 5.30. 



The immature bird has the general plumage mottled dark brown and gray, the leathers 

 marked and streaked with pointed blotches of grayish or buff: outer web of primaries buff 

 color : under parts streaked with black and white. 



This species occurs on the Atktntic coast from Canachi to South America 



and has been recorded from the West Indies. It is common in Florida. 



The nest is a mass of sticks generally built in trees or low bushes, rarelv on 



the ground. All the nests that I personalh' have found have been built in 



trees or bushes. The eggs are four to six in number and pale blue. 



