BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, QUA-BIRD. §7 



with the exception of losing its long crest-feathers after the young are 

 hatched, it retains its colouring. No difference can be observed in the tints 

 of the sexes, but the male is somewhat larger. 



A very considerable difference in size is observable at all seasons in birds 

 of this species. Some that are fully feathered, and therefore at least three 

 years old, measure as much as four inches less than others of the same sex, 

 and weigh less in proportion. These circumstances might suffice with some 

 naturalists to attempt to form two species out of one, but in this they would 

 certainly fail. 



In the neighbourhood of New Orleans, and along the Mississippi as far up 

 as Natchez, the shooting of this species is a favourite occupation with the 

 planters, who represent it as equalling any other bird in the delicacy of its 

 flesh. 



The frog, of which I have introduced a figure, is common in the retired 

 swamps which the Night Heron frequents, and is often devoured by it. 

 The flowering plants which you see, are abundant in the States of Georgia 

 and South Carolina, as well as in the Floridas. 



Night Heron or Q,ua-bird, Ardea Nycticorax, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vii. p. 3. 

 Ardea Nycticorax, Bonap. Syn., p. 306. 



Q,da-bird or American Night Heron, Ardea discors, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 54. 

 Night Heron, Ardea Nycticorax, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 275; vol. v. p. 600. 



Male, 25 T 7 2, 44. 



Resident in the Floridas and Texas, where it breeds. Migrates in spring 

 eastward as far as Maine, up the Mississippi to Memphis. Occurs one 

 hundred miles inland. Rather common. Returns southward early in 

 autumn. 



Adult Male in Spring. 



Bill a little longer than the head, strong, straight, compressed, tapering. 

 Upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched and declinate, the ridge 

 broad and rather rounded at the base, narrowed towards the end, the sides 

 sloping, the edges very sharp and inflected, obscurely serrated with minute 

 oblique slits, and having a distinct notch close to the compressed, rather 

 obtuse tip. Nasal groove wide at the base, extending narrow to near the 

 tip; nostrils basal, linear, wider behind, longitudinal. Lower mandible with 

 the angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line straight and sloping 

 upwards, the sides flat, the sharp obscurely jagged edges slightly inflected, 

 the tip very acute. 



Head oblong, much compressed; eyes large. Neck long. Body rather 

 slender, compressed. -Feet rather long, robust; tibia bare at its lower part; 



