BRITISH BIRDS,, 
43v' 
NIGHT HERON. 
LESSER ASH-COLOURED HERON, OR NIGHT RAVEN. 
{Ardea nyBlcorax, Lin.— Bihoreau, Buff.) 
The length of this bird is about twenty inches. 
The bill is three inches and three-quarters long, 
nightly arched, ftrong, and black, inclining to yel- 
low at the bafe ; the fkin from the beak round the 
eyes is bare, and of a greenifh colour ; hides yel- 
low. A white line is extended from the beak over 
each eye ; a black patch, gloffed with green, covers 
the crown of the head and nape of the neck, from 
which three long narrow white feathers, tipped with 
brown, hang loofe and waving : the hinder part of 
F 2 
