630 



AVES— EGRET. ...HERON. 



THE LITTLE EGRETi 



Is the size of a fowl. The hind head is crested, and two of the feathers, 

 which are five inches in length, hang gracefully behind. The whole plu- 

 mage is of a beauiiful white, and the elegance of the bird is much increased 

 by the long, loose feathers which cover and hang over the rump; their flesh 

 is said to be excellent. It is conjectured that both the crane and egret were 

 formerly inhabitants of Great Britain ; but this can hardly be said of them 

 at present, notwithstanding a solitary instance or two of their having been 

 shot there. In America there are egrets found of a reddish, and some of a 

 black color ; but they differ in no other respect from the European. 



THE NIGHT HEI10N2 



Is found in Europe and America. In the United States it is known by the 

 name of qua bird, and breeds usually in the most solitary and deeply shaded 

 parts of a cedar swamp. The males regularly direct their course every 

 evening at twilight towards the marshes, uttering in a hoarse and hollow 

 tone, the sound qua. At this hour, also, all the nurseries in the swamps are 



^ Anica garzdta, Lin. 



^ Ardca nycticorax, Lin. 



