BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, QHA-BIRD. 
87 
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 Qua-bird, Ardea Nycticorax , Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vii. p. 3. 
Ardea Nycticorax, Bonap. Syn., p. 306. 
Qua-bird or American Night Heron, Ardea discors, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 54. 
Night Heron, Ardea Nycticorax , AuJ. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 275 ; vol. v. p. 600. 
Male, 25 f?, 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 j tibia bare at its lower part ; 
