276 NIGHT HERON. 



mains on the low swampy lands along the coast. It is rare to see one 

 farther up the Mississippi than the mouth of the Arkansas, to which a few 

 are at times induced to go while rambling along the great stream. I 

 never saw one, or heard of any, whilst in Kentucky, and I doubt much 

 if they are ever seen in the upper parts of the State of Tennessee. The 

 distance of a hundred miles from the tide-mark appears to be the farthest 

 extent of their inland movements. On the other hand, they are fond of 

 resorting to the islands along the coast, on many of which they breed. 



At the approach of spring, great numbers of those which have wintered 

 far south, leave their places of sojourn and migrate eastward, although 

 probably an equal number remain in the low lands of Louisiana and the 

 Floridas during the whole year. There, indeed, I have found them with 

 eggs in April and May, and as young birds just fledged were very abun- 

 dant at the same places, I concluded that these eggs were of the second 

 laying. By the middle of March, the number of Night Herons is 

 seen to increase daily in the Carolinas, and, about a month later, some 

 make their appearance in the Middle Districts, where many remain and 

 breed. They are not abundant in the State of New York, are seen spar- 

 ingly breeding in Massachusetts, while only a few proceed to Maine, and 

 farther eastward they are looked upon as a great curiosity. In Nova 

 Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador, this species is quite unknown. 



Some European writers have alleged, that the Night Heron is scarce 

 in the United States, and of rare occurrence even in the southern parts. 

 I wish these people had been with me and my friend Bachman, or with 

 some of the many hundred persons who reside in the Southern Districts, 

 or have travelled from Louisiana to North Carolina. How strange it 

 would have appeared to such assertors of notions, to have seen a boat- 

 load of Night Herons shot in the course of a few hours, and that too in 

 the winter season. 



Excepting while breeding, this species is extremely shy and wary, es- 

 pecially the adults. To approach them from a distance after they have 

 seen you, is no easy task. They seem to know the distance at which 

 your gun can injure them, they watch all your movements, and at the 

 proper moment leave their perches. Should you chance to crack a stick 

 while advancing towards them, they start at once, give a few raps with 

 their wings in the manner of the Common Pigeon, and fly off as if de- 

 lighted at your disappointment. On the contrary, you may shoot them 

 with ease, if you lie in wait near the places to which they resort to roost 



