64 
ALTEICIAL GRALLATORES — HERODIONES. 
In the adult plumage, this species is probably considerably darker than N. violaceus, with the 
black stripes of the upper parts less distinct, perhaps obsolete. 
The Yellow-crowned Heron is a southern species, not known to breed north of 
the Carolinas on the Atlantic coast, though occasionally wandering much farther 
north, both on the Atlantic coast and in the interior. It is found along the whole 
Gulf coast to Mexico, occurs both on the eastern and the western coasts of Mexico 
and of Central America, and has been received from South America. On the Pacific 
coast it has not been taken, to our knowledge, so far north as California, though abun- 
dant on the Marias and Socorro Islands and the corresponding coast. It is found in 
and breeds in several of the West India Islands. Professor Newton mentions it as 
occurring, but as not very common, in St. Croix, where it inhabits the mangrove swamps 
in the daytime, but leaves them at night to feed in the interior of the island. It is 
presumed to be resident and to breed in that island, but this has not been positively 
ascertained. Mr. E. C. Taylor found it abundant in the Oropuche lagoon, in Trini- 
dad, but he did not meet with any elsewhere on that island. Leotaud also speaks of 
this Heron as being quite common in Trinidad, where it is both resident and known 
to breed. Its food, for which it searches in the night, is not different from that of 
other Herons. During the daytime it keeps itself closely concealed among the man- 
grove trees, which fill all the inlets from the sea. At times this bird is very fat, and 
is then quite good eating. Unlike the Night Heron, it can never be reconciled to 
captivity, but always retains its wild and untamable character. It is mentioned by 
Dr. Gundlach as a common resident species in Cuba, where he obtained its eggs. It 
is not given by Mr. Gosse, who probably confounded it with the Gardeni, as among 
the birds of Jamaica, but is mentioned by Mr. March as of frequent occurrence on 
that island. It is known as the Guinea-hen Quok, by which term Mr. Gosse supposed 
the young of the Gardeni to be designated. Mr. Salvin states that specimens of 
this bird were among the skins collected by Mr. Leyland in Honduras ; and he after- 
ward reported that he himself found it not uncommon on the Pacific sea-coast of 
Guatemala. It is an occasional visitant of Bermuda, both in spring and in fall. It 
is of rare and accidental occurrence along the Atlantic coast, even as far as Massa- 
chusetts. Mr. N. Vickary, of Lynn, obtained a fine specimen that had been killed 
within the limits of that city in October, 1862. Mr. George N. Lawrence includes it 
in his list of birds obtained near New York City ; and Mr. Giraud states that it occa- 
sionally extends its visits as far north as Long Island. It is there of entirely noc- 
turnal habit, keeping hidden in the marshes during the day, and feeding chiefly at 
night. Professor F. H. Snow records the capture of an adult female Yellow-crowned 
Night Heron and three young birds at Neosho Falls, Kansas, by Colonel N. S. Goss. 
The female was in full breeding plumage. One was also taken by Mrs. Maxwell, in 
Colorado. Mr. Dresser found it more abundant in Southwestern Texas than the 
common Night Heron, but none were seen about Matamoras until August. Mr. Wil- 
dark brownish slate, becoming gradually glaucous-plumbeous on the tertials, remiges, rump, upper tail- 
coverts, and tail ; elongated scapular plumes dark plumbeous, without black mesial stripe ; wing-coverts 
narrowly edged with light fulvous or creamy buff' ; border of the wing fulvous-white, spotted along the 
inner edge with dark plumbeous. Neck brownish slate, the foreneck longitudinally striped with pale 
ochraceous ; remaining lower parts similar, but more profusely streaked with light oehraceous and white. 
Under-surface of the wings nearly uniform plumbeous. 
Wing, 10.40 ; tail, 4.50 ; culmen, 2.60 ; depth of bill through nostril, .80 ; tarsus, 3.40 ; middle toe, 
2.30 ; bare portion of tibia, 1.50. 
[Described from the type in Mus. Salvin & Godman ; Indefatigable I. Galapagos, Aug. 30, 18?8 ; Dr. 
A. Habel. Length, 21.00; extent, 38.00. Iris, orange; bill, black ; legs and feet, green.] 
