THE NIGHT HERON. 
227 
variety of another class of Waders, called Herons, 
which are not only much more abundant, but more 
widely distributed, — many of the species extending 
their migrations as far to the north as the State of 
Maine. Among those with which our readers are 
most likely to be familiar, are the Night Heron, or 
Qua-Bird, the Bittern, the Great White Egret, and 
the Snowy Heron, or Little Egret. A full-plumaged 
male Night Heron is unquestionably a beautiful bird. 
Standing about two feet in height, its head crowned 
with a loose, flowing crest of elongated feathers of a 
shining green of the deepest shade, from the centre 
of which project three slender feathers, pure white, 
and about eight inches in length, each having its 
edges so rolled up as to make it a perfect tube. The 
upper part of the back and the scapulars are of a 
deep blackish green, the wings grey, with a shade of 
lilac. The throat is pure white, which gradually 
shades into a light cream color upon the breast and 
whole lower parts. 
Except during the breeding season, this is a shy 
and wary bird, and extremely difficult to approach. 
While a flock is engaged in feeding, one of their 
number acts as sentinel, to give the alarm at the 
least sound of danger. This is a common practice 
with many birds of this class, and it is said that the 
Spoonbills feed with great confidence when in com- 
pany with Herons, taking warning at the voice of 
their sentinel. The Night Heron may be examined 
at leisure, and even shot in great numbers, by secre- 
ting oneself near the spot where they regularly roost 
