58 HERON. 



Don, where it builds on trees; also at Astrachan during summer; 

 was formerly in plenty at Sevenhuys, about four leagues from 

 Leyden, with the Spoon-bills, and other birds, but the wood that 

 grew there has been for some time destroyed.* Like many of the 

 Geiius it migrates according to the season ; is not uncommon in 

 Carniola, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland : is met with in France, 

 but by no means common : often shot in Spain, and frequently seen in 

 the marshes and rivers about Gibraltar, but is every where more rare 

 than the Heron. Is found at Aleppo, and may be seen figured in 

 Chinese drawings ;f we have observed it likewise in those from India, 

 with very little variation ; and most certainly, is not uncommon in 

 the province of Oude, as I find it among the drawings of Lord 

 Mountnorris, under the name of Soobuke; called at Bengal, Wak. 

 Is found in Java, where it is known by the name of Guvvo. 



This bird inhabits various parts of America, being met with about 

 New York and Rhode Island, and probably reaching to Cayenne. 

 Mr. Abbot describes it as a native of Georgia, where it frequents the 

 ponds in summer, but is not common : he calls the length twelve 

 inches only, and the breadth forty ; and though we have every 

 reason to think it the same as ours, it is certainly much smaller ;% the 

 legs deep yellow ; it is said to make the nest in trees, but sometimes 

 builds it among the rocks, and lays three or four bluish white eggs, 

 two inches and a quarter long, by one inch and three quarters broad : 

 the food consists chiefly of frogs, reptiles, and fish. The flesh, in 

 general, is not palatable for food. It is called in America the Qua 

 Bird, from the note imitating that word, in a hoarse kind of voice, 



* In the year 1663, vented at 3000 gilders per annum, of Baron Pelemberg, for the sake 

 of the birds and grass. — Ray's Travels, p. 38. 



f One of these in the speckled dress, in possession of Sir J. Banks, was brought from 

 thence; in this every wing feather was tipped with white, and the spots more distinct than 

 in the European one. Pernetty met with it in Falkland Island. See Voy. aux Ma/ouin. 

 ii. p. 26. 



X The Night Heron said to build on the high Bignonias, in Brazil. Supposed to be 

 the same as the European, but larger. — Maxim. Tr. i. 107. 



