HERONS 



(203) Nyctanassa violacea 



(Linn,) (Gr., night, queen; Lat., violet- 

 colored). 



YELLOW-CROWNED NKIHT 

 HERON. Ads. — Plumage as shown, 

 crown white, tinged with tawny; the 

 long slender feathers on the back 

 black, edged with light gray. Iris 

 red. Legs greenish-black. Im. — 

 Above grayish-brown, streaked and 

 spotted with lighter; below streaked 

 with brown and white. L., 24.00; 

 W., 12.00; Tar., 4.00; B., 3.00, 

 slightly stouter than that of the last 

 species. Ncsl — In trees or bushes 

 in swamps; tliree or four pale bluish- 

 green eggs, 2.00x1.40. 



Range — Breeds from S. Car., 

 southern 111. and Kan. southward. 

 Casual in fall north to Maine, Mass., 

 Ont. and Col. 



remote from villages so as not to be objectionable, but 

 occasionally they will select woods close to houses and it will 

 shortly be necessary to drive them away. Three or four 

 years of occupancy will kill all the trees in which are nests. 

 They are abroad so little during daylight and are so silent, 

 except in the immediate vicinity of the heronry, that its 

 presence is often unknown, even though near large cities. 

 Immediately upon our entering the colony, however, the 

 greatest confusion arises. To the beating wings and harsh 

 squawks of the adult herons is added the loud "ticking" 

 or "clicking" notes of the young. As long as we are in 

 sight or mo\dng about, the uproar will continue, but a few 

 moments after we conceal ourselves the clock-like notes of 

 the young will cease, the disagreeable squawks of the parents 

 will be silenced, and one by one they will drop down to their 

 homes, some to cover their eggs and others to perch beside 

 their offspring until dusk, when feeding time occurs. Most 

 of the nests are well up toward the tops of the trees — just 



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