BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
249 
Plate XLIL 
BUTOKIDES VIKESCENS, (Linn.) Baied. 
Green Heron. 
Contemned by man, and characterized by the most inappropriate and 
disgusting nickname, Avith which almost every one who is conversant with 
the species must be familiar, our subject asks nothing at the hands of 
humankind, but rather avoids cultivated scenes, and seems to thrive best 
where civilization has neither sown nor reaped. Within the precincts of 
grassy pools and almost impenetrable morasses, where dangerous odors 
exhale, and myriads of slimy creatures drag their slow lengths along, or 
startle the shades of night with their bass murmurings, the Green Heron 
delights to dwell. Here he pursues his craft in the society of his friends 
and near relatives. 
Early in April the birds reach the Middle Atlantic States, from their 
Southern marshy homes, and soon afterivards are found in New England, 
and other portions to the westward. Their limit in this direction is some- 
Avhat circumscribed. The silence of writers upon the subject conduces to 
the inference that they are not found west of the Eocky Mountains, and 
the absence of mention by the parties connected Avith the different govern- 
ment expeditions, shows that they are not to be met Avith in regions w'hich 
they visited. In the extreme southern and eastern parts of the region of 
the Mif5SOuri, howmver, they are to be met with. McIlAvraith observed 
them in Canada West; and in the West Indies, Mexico, and from Central 
America to Venezuela, they are knoAvn to abound. They are mentioned 
by Gosse in his explorations, and Cory saw them in abundance, during 
the breeding-season, in the Bahamas. It is possible that many of these 
