SPECIES 8. J2RDEA NYCTICORAX. 



NIGHT HERON, OR QUA-BIRD. 



[Plate LXL- Fig. 2.] 



Arct. Zool. JVb. 356. Le Bihoreau, BUFF, vn, 435. 439, tab. 22. 

 PL Enl.758, 759. 899. LATH. Syn. v. 3, p. 52, JVo. 13, j>. 53, 

 Young, called there the Female. PEALE'S Museum, JV*. 3728, 

 Young, JVo. 3729. 



THIS species, though common to both continents, and known 

 in Europe for many centuries, has been so erroneously describ- 

 ed by all the European naturalists, whose work I have examined, 

 as to require more than common notice in this place. For this 

 purpose, an accurate figure of the male is given, and also ano- 

 ther of what has, till now, been universally considered the fe- 

 male, with a detail of so much of their history as I am personally 

 acquainted with. 



The Night Heron arrives in Pennsylvania early in April, 

 and immediately takes possession of his former breeding place, 

 which is usually the most solitary, and deeply shaded, part of 

 a cedar swamp. Groves of swamp-oak, in retired and inundat- 

 ed places, are also sometimes chosen; and the males not unfre- 

 quently select tall woods, on the banks of the river, to roost in 

 during the day. These last regularly direct their course, about 

 the beginning of evening twilight, towards the marshes, utter- 

 ing, in a hoarse and hollow tone, the sound Qua, which by 

 some has been compared to that produced by the retchings of a 

 person attempting to vomit. At this hour, also, all the nurse- 

 ries in the swamps are emptied of their inhabitants, who disperse 

 about the marshes, and along the ditches and river shore, in 

 quest of food. Some of these breeding places have been occupi- 

 ed every spring and summer, for time immemorial, by from 



