344 GRALL^E. ARDEAD^E. 



with ease. Frequently it crouches, as if hoping to 

 lie unobserved. 



The stomachs of several that I have dissected con- 

 tained small fishes and Crustacea. 



QUOK.* 



Night-heron or Qua-bird. WILS. 

 Nycticorax Americanus. 



Ardea nycticorax, LINN. Aud. pi. 236. 



? Ardea violacea (immature}. Ibid. 

 Nycticorax Americanus, STKPH. 



THOUGH a common inhabitant of the deep and 

 fetid morasses, where the sombre mangrove crosses 

 its tangled roots in inextricable confusion, this fine 

 bird is much oftener heard than seen. The supersti- 

 tious negro, whose heart is in his throat if he is 

 compelled to stir beyond his threshold by night, 

 is often startled by the loud and hoarse quok of 

 this bird, suddenly emitted from the dark solitudes 

 on either side of the road, or from the branches of 

 a tree above his head, where the bird is roosting for 

 the night. Occasionally, when out before day, 

 seeking some birds which are to be shot only at 

 dawn, I have myself heard the same loud cry 



* Length 24 inches, expanse 41|, flexure 12, tail 4f, rictus 3-f, tarsus 

 4|, middle toe 2f. A male, immature ; occipital plumes 3^ inches long. 

 I have not seen the adult. 



