NIGHT HERON. 169 



GRALLA TORES. A RDEIDJE. 



PLATE CLXXL 



THE NIGHT HERON. 



ARDEA MYCTICORAX. 



The Night Heron, an occasional visitant in Great Britain, 

 is a very interesting bird, but, owing to its nocturnal habits, 

 little known. It is found in most parts of the world, migrat- 

 ing in a northern direction during the months of April and 

 May, and in a southern direction again in September and 

 October. 



The locality usually preferred by this species differs mate- 

 rially from that chosen by most of the Heron tribe, being 

 swamps and brooks in wooded, instead of open districts. ' Here 

 the Night Heron passes most of its time, and roosts on the 

 branches of the trees, only moving stealthily about when in 

 search of food. When on the wing its flight is noiseless, 

 like that of the owl. 



Our drawing was made from a fine living specimen in the 

 Zoological Gardens in the Regents' 1 Park, London ; at which 

 place there have been many individuals, received from divers 

 places, both adult and young. 



In their plumage the male and female do not differ 

 materially, but that of the young birds is so very unlike then- 

 parents, that many mistakes have originated from the dissimi- 

 larity, which has induced some authors to consider them a 

 distinct species. 



