NIGHT-HERON. GRALLATORES. NYCTICORAX. 43 



CAYENNE NIGHT-HERON. 



NYCTICORAX CAYENENSIS. 



Ardea Cayenensis, Lath. Ind. Orn. 2. 680. sp. 17- 



Ardea violacea, Linn, Syst. 1. 238. 16 Lath. Ind. Orn. 2. 690. sp. 50. 



Ardea callocephala, Wagler, Syst. Av. 1. sp. 34. 



Cancrofagus Bahamensis, Briss. 5. 481. 41. 



Le Bihoreau de Cayenne, Buff. Ois. 7- 439. 



Le Crabier gris de fer, Buff. Ois. 7. 399. 



Yellow-crowned Heron, Penn. Arct. Zool. 2. 352 Lath. Syn, 5. 80. 46 



Wils. Amei. Orn. 8. 26. pi. 65. f. 1. 

 Cayenne Night-Heron, Lath. Syn. 5. 56. 16. 



I INSERT this species, as an occasional visitant, in conse- Occasional 

 quence of a specimen taken near Yarmouth, in May 1824; 

 and recorded by Mr YOUELL of that place, in the 14th 

 volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Society. It is 

 an American species, and rather widely disseminated, being 

 found not only upon the Continent, but throughout the 

 greater part of the West Indian Islands. For a detailed 

 account of its habits, I must refer my readers to WILSON'S 

 " American Ornithology," in which they will find the sub- 

 ject treated. with the graphic excellence that so remarkably 

 distinguishes his admirable volumes. Like the Common 

 Night-Heron, it breeds in societies, making its nest in the Nest, &c. 

 lower branches of trees in the neighbourhood of swamps 

 and marshes ; and lays four eggs, of a greenish-blue colour. 

 The young birds are said to be in much esteem for the deli- 

 cacy and flavour of their flesh. This species feeds upon fish 

 and reptiles, and (like the rest of the group) during the 

 night; remaining at rest, and concealed, throughout the 

 day. 



In the adult state, the crown of the head is white or yel- General 

 lo wish-white ; a stripe of the same passing from the nos- 

 trils, beneath the eyes, towards the occiput ; the rest of 

 the head is black ; ending in a peak behind, from whence 

 depends a crest, com posed of two very long white canalicu- 



