340 GRALL^E. 



GREEN BITTERN * 



Crab-catcher. 

 Herodias virescens. 



Ardea virescens, LINN. Aud. pi. 333. 



Herodias virescens, BONAP. 



THIS richly-coloured species is found wherever 

 there is running water ; and most abundantly, where 

 in the plains the sluggish streams expand into broad 

 reedy pools, or spongy marshes. Though perfectly 

 solitary in its habits, one may frequently see in such 

 situations a dozen within a quarter of a mile ; and 

 as we walk on, another and another long neck is 

 suddenly reared above the grass, to gaze at the 

 intruder and estimate the danger. Usually they are 

 too wary to allow of a near approach ; but this 

 varies according to the locality ; for while, in lonely 

 places, as Paradise marshes, one may easily get 

 within shot, in such streams as Bluefields and 

 Robin's River, where persons are continually passing, 

 an approach within a long distance instantly puts 

 the watchful bird upon the wing. In the former 

 case it alights again immediately, but in the latter it 

 does not stay its flight, until it gains the shelter of 

 the woods, or a distant part of the stream. But 

 in the morning, as soon as its appetite has been 



* Length 1 8 inches, expanse 25^, flexure 7-J, tail 2^-, rictus 3, tarsus 

 2-j%, middle toe 1^. Intestine 44 inches, very slender. 



