BLUE CRANE. 
21 
lescens,) which agrees almost exactly with the present. Some 
of these mistakes may probably have originated from the figure 
of this bird given by Catesby, which appears to have been 
drawn and coloured, not from nature, but from the glimmering 
recollections of memory, and is extremely erroneous. These 
remarks are due to truth, and necessary to the elucidation of 
the history of this species, which seems to be but imperfectly 
known in Europe. 
The blue heron is properly a native of the warmer climates 
of the United States, migrating from thence, at the approach 
of winter, to the tropical regions, being found in Cayenne, 
Jamaica, and Mexico. On the muddy shores of the Mississippi, 
from Baton Bouge downwards to New Orleans, these birds 
are frequently met with. In spring they extend their migra- 
tions as far north as New England, chiefly in the vicinity of 
the sea, becoming more rare as they advance to the north. On 
the sea beach of Cape May, I found a few of them breeding 
among the cedars, in company with the snowy heron, night he- 
ron, and green bittern. The figure and description of the pre- 
sent was taken from two of these, shot in the month of May, 
while in complete plumage. Their nests were composed of 
small sticks, built in the tops of the red cedars, and contained 
five eggs, of a light blue colour, and of somewhat a deeper tint 
than those of the night heron. Little or no difference could 
be perceived between the colours and markings of the male 
and female. This remark is applicable to almost the whole 
genus ; though, from the circumstance of many of the yearling 
birds differing in plumage, they have been mistaken for females. 
The blue heron, though in the northern states it be found 
chiefly in the neighbourhood of the ocean, probably on account 
of the greater temperature of the climate, is yet particularly 
fond of fresh water bogs, on the edges of the salt marsh. These 
it often frequents, wading about in search of tadpoles, lizards, 
various larvse of winged insects, and mud worms. It moves 
actively about in search of these, sometimes making a run at 
its prey ; and is often seen in company with the snowy heron, 
