THE NIDIOLOGIST 



35 



gist needs for study; with such a large percentage of 

 scientists in her population, it is certainly remarkable 

 that, through the exertions of private enterprise, there 

 do not appear more journals devoted not only to Or- 

 nithology, but to the various departments of bio- 

 logical science. Very frequently, indeed, facts new 

 to the sciences are first to be known at Washington, 

 where collections are almost daily pouring in, and 

 these facts are announced in the columns of scientific 

 magazines and papers published elsewhere. Govern- 

 ment publication is slow in the extreme, and yet 

 Washington is almost entirely lacking in the kind of 

 literature to which reference has been made, where it 

 depends upon publishing establishments conducted 

 through the means of private firms or individuals. 

 This state of affairs cannot always exist, and sooner 

 or later it will be seen and appreciated that Washing- 

 ton is one of the best fields, one of the most appro- 

 priate centers, for a house concerned in the publication 

 of scientific material to be established. R. W. S. 



Notes on the Night Heron. 



I AM sending you a few jottings on the 

 Qua Bird in captivity. 

 Being a species common alike to Eu- 

 rope and America a few observations may in- 

 terest the readers of the Nidiologist. My 

 Night Heron came into my possession while 

 in immature plumage. During the three years 

 I kept it I had the opportunity of noting the 

 transition from a bird of the first year to that 

 of the adult male. In the autumnal molt 

 the crest plumes, four or five in number, dis- 

 appeared last. I say disappeared, because I 

 never succeeded in getting one, though I 

 watched for them closely. I have good reason 

 for inferring that the bird used to swallow 

 them. 



As I kept them in an indoor aviary I had 

 every chance of picking them up; but they 

 were not to be had. Possibly some one may 

 be able to throw light on this point. 



By the end of October the crest was gone. 

 During the first week in January the new head- 

 dress peeped out, and by Valentine's Day the 

 bird was in courting costume, with full-grown 

 plume. 



In habit the Night Heron was sluggish dur- 

 ing the day, usually sitting or standing up 

 aloft on one leg. From this perch it was loath 

 to descend even to be fed, but rather invited 

 me to toss up its food, which was caught in ^ 

 most dexterous manner. 



Toward evening it became animated and 

 would range the limits of its domain (an out- 

 house). 



On fine moonlight nights, particularly about 

 the time of spring and autumn migration, it 

 would utter its loud qua note, but never during 

 the day. 



All fish given to it, whether living or dead, 

 were put through the same killing process. On 



being caught they were first treated to a vigor- 

 ous shake up. The prey was next slewed 

 round and held by the head, the bones of 

 which were smashed by compression and the 

 fish killed; next came a toss up of the head 

 and the " finny " food disappeared. 



Mice and frogs were swallowed with equal 

 gusto, and, in the absence of fish, paunch cut 

 into strips formed its staple food. This crush- 

 ing of the brain appeared to me to be a safe- 

 guard against unpleasant results that may have 

 accompanied the act of swallowing any live 

 fish with a spiny dorsal fin (as perch, for in- 

 stance). During part of its stay with me it 

 shared the aviary with a Common and Buff- 

 backed Heron. 



They agreed fairly well as long as the perch- 

 ing spots were not usurped, but at feeding 

 times Nycticorax always had to wait until last 

 before daring to venture. 



I grew quite attached to my "Qua Bird," 

 who would permit as close an approach as I 

 chose so I did not attempt to i)ick it up. Its fine 

 eyes were scarcely less in size than those of the 

 Common Heron — a wise provision of the Creator 

 to qualify it for foraging under the cover of 

 night. 



Wanting room for the study of other species, 

 I passed the bird on to Mr. John Petitt, of Col- 

 chester (about two years ago), asking him to 

 note what became of the crest. 



In a letter I received a few days ago he says: 

 " I have sold the Heron to Mr. Gurney, of 

 Norwich (one of our well-known Ornitholo- 

 gists). He was delighted with him. While 

 with me the bird was allowed to run at large, 

 resorting to a little hut to sleep. I cannot 

 say for certain about the crest feathers; but 

 one day he retired loith them on and the next 

 day they were f^oiie. I searched his place, but 

 never found them." 



Last week Mr. Gurney writes: " The Night 

 Heron was quite one of the nicest and most 

 interesting birds I ever had; but I am sorry to 

 say he is dead — perhaps from swallowing some 

 bait not intended for him. It seems not un- 

 likely that in captivity these birds inight eat 

 their plumes." William C. Blake. 



Ross, Herefords, England, Oct. ii. 1895. 



Mr. Albert La.no was so unfortunate as to have 

 his store destroyed in the big fire at Madison. Wis., 

 recently. His bird skins were saved. 



Re.vd the back cover page of this number. Act upon 

 the big proposition there outlined, at once, and tell 

 your friends about it. 



AnvERTisiNG in the NnnoLor.isT pays. Write for 

 rates on contract. Special rates also on " Exchange 

 and Sale " notices on contract. 



