HERODIONES. ( 52 ) ARDEIDsE. 



THE NIGHT HERON. 



THE GREY NIGHT HERON, THE NIGHT RAVEN. 



Nycticorax griseus. 



The Heron came from the Witch-pule tree, 



The Houlet frae Deadwood-howe ; 

 The au Id grey Corbie hoverit aboone, 



While tears dawne his cheeks didflowe. 



THE GLOAMYNE BUCHTE. 



A SPECIMEN of this very rare bird was shot while sitting 

 on the top of a tall oak-tree at the Hirsel, by the Earl of 

 Home, on the 25th of May 1822. It was a male, and was 

 presented to the Museum of the University of Edinburgh 

 by his Lordship. A female was wounded by Lord Home on 

 the same day, but it fell amongst a bed of reeds and could 

 not be found, though a very diligent search was made for it. 1 

 The Night Heron appears to have occurred only seven times 

 in Scotland. 2 It is not so large as the common species, and 

 breeds in several parts of Europe. 



1 Newcastle Magazine for July 1822, and Dr. Johnston's MS. Notes. 



2 Yarrell's British Birds, fourth edition, vol. iv. (1884-85), p. 196. 



