554 GREAT HERON. 
IT strongly suspect that the species called by naturalists the Cay- 
enne Night Heron (Ardea Cayanensis) is nothing more than the pres- 
ent, with which, according to their descriptions, it seems to agree 
almost exactly. - 7 ; 
y 
GREAT HERON.— ARDEA HERODIAS. — Fie. 261. 
Le Heron hupé de Virginie, Briss. v. p. 416, 10; Grand Heron, Buff. vii. p.-355.; 
Jd. p. 386. ee Crested Heron, Catesby, App. pl. 10, fig. 1. — Lath. Syn. 
iii. p. 85, No. 51.— Arct. Zool. No. 341, 342.— Peale’s Museum, No. 3629 ; 
Young, 3631. ’ ; 
ARDEA HERODIAS. —Linwxvs.* 
Ardea Herodias, Bonap. Synop. p. 304. — North. Zool. ii. p. 373. 
Tue history of this large and elegant bird having been long 
involved in error and obscurity, t I have taken more than common pains 
to present a faithful portrait of it in this place; and to add to that 
every fact and authentic particular relative to its manners, which may, 
es 
be necessary to the elucidation of the subject. 
* 
* This may be called the representative of the European Heron ; it is consider- 
ably larger, but in the general colors bears a strong resemblance, and is, moreover, 
the only North American bird that ‘ean rank with the genus Ardea in its restricted 
sense. In manners they are similar, feed in the evening, or early in the morning,. 
when their prey is most active in search of its own victims; but roost at night, 
except during very clear moonlight. They are extremely shy and watchful, and 
the height they are able to overlook, with the advantage of their long legs and. neck, 
renders them difficult of approach, unless under extensive cover. hen watching 
their prey, they may be said to resemble a cat, prying anxiously about the sides o} 
the ditches, lake, or stream ; but as soon as the least motion or indication of a liv- 
ing reature is seen, they are fixed and ready to make a dart, almost always unerr- 
ing. Mouse; frog, or fish, even rails, and the young of the larger water fowl, are 
transfixed, and being carried to the nearest bank’ or dry ground, are immediatel 
swallowed, always with the head downwards. ‘Their prey appears to be often, if 
not always; transfixed, — a mode of capture not generally known, but admirably 
fitted to secure one as vigilant as the aggressor. One or two of the wild and beau- 
tiful islets on Lock Awe are occupied as breeding places by the Herons, where 1 
have climbed to many of their nests, all well supplied: with trout and eels, invariably, 
pierced or stuck through. None of the species breed on the ground, and it isa 
curious and rather anomalous circumstance, that the Ardeade, the Ibis, and some 
allied birds, which are decidedly Waders, and formed for walking, should build and 
roost on trees, where their motions are all awkward, and where they seem as if 
constantly placed in a situation contrary to their habits or abilities. A heronry, 
uring a breeding season, is a curious and interesting, as well as picturesque 
object. — Ep. A 
4 Latham says of this species, that “all the upper parts of the body, the belly, 
tail, and legs, are brown ;” and this description has been repeated by every subse- 
quent compiler. Buffon, with his usual. eloquent absurdity, describes the Heron as 
“exhibiting the picture of wretchedness, anxiety, and indigence ; condemned to 
struggle perpetually with misery and want; sickened with the restless cravings of a 
famished appetite ;” a description so ridiculously untrue, that, were it possible for 
these birds to comprehend it, it would excite the risibility of the whole tribe. 
