BRITISH BIRDS. 



55 



THE NIGHT HERON. 



LESSER ASH-COLOURED HERON, OR XKiHT RAVEN. 



{\\cticorax Ardcola, Temm. Bihorcnn- a nianteau, 

 Xemm.) 



LENGTH, about twenty inches. The bill is three 

 inches and three quarters long, slightly arched, 

 strong, and black, inclining to yellow at the base; 

 the skin, from the beak round the eyes, is bare, and 

 of a greenish colour; irides, yellow. A white line 

 is extended from the beak over each eye; a black 

 patch, glossed with green, covers the crown of the 

 head, and the nape of the neck, from which three 

 long narrow white feathers, tipped with brown, 

 hang loose and waving: the hinder part of the 

 neck, coverts of the wings, the sides, and tail, are 



