Herons, Rais, Ere. 229 
more than all other birds put together, is migratory. 
It is first seen in the Middle States about April 1, 
and winter has fairly set in before it retires: to a more 
congenial clime. As a general thing they have es- 
caped serious molestation, and in many localities are 
very tame. I have often walked within ten steps of 
them without their being alarmed, and more often 
have had them come very near to me when I was sit- 
ting on a ditch-bank watching the aquatic life before 
me. I have known them to walk to the very door 
of a spring-house, on the watch for minnows, and pay 
little attention to the milkmaid, when she appeared. 
A little brook with fish and frogs, a few trees near 
by fora “heronry,” and these little fellows are happy. 
Gain their confidence, as you readily can, and they 
will prove a constant source of amusement, and, 
better than that, if there can be somethin better, 
they will help in keeping down the grasshoppers ; 
and if they are not equal to swallowing a meadow- 
mouse, they can and will chase him out of the pasture. 
The nest of this little heron is but a mere matter 
of a few loosely-laid sticks, and the four or five eggs 
are in constant danger of tumbling to the ground, 
and this untoward fate does sometimes befall the 
young birds. 
The Night-heron, which is known so generally 
as the “ Quok,” a name derived from the bird’s ordi- 
nary cry when flying, is in some respects a more in- 
teresting bird than any other of the family. It is 
still abundant and, not being extremely timid, is 
readily observed. As its name implies, it is noc- 
turnal, and yet it is by no means blind in broad day- 
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