170 ARDEID.E. 



In its nature the Night Heron is timid, distrustful, and 

 shy, passing the whole day among the thickest foliage of 

 trees and shrubs, perched immoveably on a branch. When the 

 bird is startled from its roost, it does not fly to any great 

 distance, but to the most convenient concealment, of the 

 same nature as the one it has just vacated. During the day 

 it never flies about, unless provoked to do so. 



This species is not sociably inclined, and hardly ever met 

 with in company, even in pairs. In migrating, also, the 

 Night Heron travels singly, and generally during the night : 

 this can be ascertained in a clear evening in autumn, when 

 the often-repeated, hoarse call-note (cowow) is uttered in 

 a loud accent, high in the air ; and if there is, by chance, 

 more than one bird on the wing, each individual speaks for 

 itself, plainly enough acquainting the listener of its presence. 



The Night Heron, when kept in confinement, usually sits 

 in a dull and heavy posture, as represented in our plate, 

 until night calls its powers into activity. 



The food of the Night Heron consists of small fish, frogs, 

 water-beetles, and leeches ; it also devours worms. 



In some of the western countries of Europe the Night 

 Heron breeds plentifully, and occasionally even on the 

 borders of the Baltic. The nest is more generally placed in 

 the head of a pollard or in the branches of a forest tree, 

 than elsewhere ; not in the highest branches, like that of the 

 common heron, but about midway. The nest itself is a large, 

 flat fabric, composed of sticks and twigs, and lined with reeds, 

 rushes, grass, and leaves. In this receptacle four or five eggs 

 are deposited ; but, owing to the bird's habit of keeping much 

 out of sight, many particulars of this part of its history still 

 remain unknown. 



The entire length of the Night Heron is nearly two feet ; 

 but, in consequence of its sitting with its neck shortened or 

 contracted when in a state of rest, it appears of less dimensions. 



