64 



BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



think, as a rule, they usually prefer to remain by themselves during- the 

 season of reproduction as well as at other times. Various writers state 

 that the eggs are four in number. I have examined many nests, and 

 consider the usual complement to be not less than five ; frequently six 

 eggs are laid. The eggs are pale-blue and larger than those of our com- 

 mon pigeon. This species feeds much more frequently on insects than 

 other of the herons that reside with us. Nuttall writes of the Green 

 Heron in the following language : " He is also particularly attracted by 

 artificial ponds for fish, not refraining even to visit gardens and domes- 

 tic premises which any prospect of fare may offer. He is, at the same 

 time, perhaps as much in quest of the natural enemy of the fish, the 

 frog, as of the legitimate tenants of the pond. These bold and intrusive 

 visits are commonly made early in the morning, or towards twilight, and 

 he not unfrequently. when pressed by hunger, or after ill-success, turns 

 out to hunt his fare by day as well as dusk, and, at such times, collects 

 various larvae, particularly those of the dragon-fly, with grasshoppers 

 and different kinds of insects. At other times he preys upon small fish, 

 crabs and frogs, for which he often lies patiently in wait till they reap- 

 pear from their hiding places in the water or mud, and on being trans- 

 fixed and caught, which is effected with great dexterity, they are com- 

 monly beaten to death, if large, and afterwards swallowed at leisure." 



Fourteen birds, examined by me, were found to have fed on the differ- 

 ent materials named below : 



Four young birds taken from the nest. 



GENUS NYCTICORAX STEPHENS. 

 Nycticorax nycticorax neevius (BODD.). 



Black-crowned Night Heron ; Squawk ; Night-hen. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 6'). 



Bill very stout and thick ; maxilla slightly curved ; bill and tarsus each about 3 

 inches long; head and neck large, the latter quite short; body rather short and 

 heavy. 



Adult. Length about 25 inches ; alar extent, about 44 ; bill black ; lores greenish- 

 yellow ; eyes red ; legs yellowish ; top of head and middle of back glossy-greenish 



