504 BIRDS—ARDEIDA. 
NYCTIARDEA GRISEA (L_) Steph. 
var. NEVIA (Bodd.) Allen. 
Night Heron. 
Ardea discors, KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 183%, 165, 184. 
Nyctiardea gardeni, WHEATON, Ohio Agric. Rep. for 160, 368, 377 ; Reprint, 1861, 10, 19. 
Nyctiardea grisea, var. nevie, WHEATON, Food of Birds, etc., Ohio Agric. Rep. fer 1874; 
Reprint, 1875, 13.—LaNe@pon, Cat. Birds of Cin., 1¢77, 15; Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. 
Hist., i, 1878, 117; Reprint, 8; Revised List, Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., i, 1579, 184; 
Reprint, 18; Field Notes, ib., ii, 1880, 127.—DukyY and FREEMAN, ib., iii, 1980, 104; 
Reprint, 5. 
Ardea discors, NUTTALL, Man. li, 1834, 54. 
Ardea nevia, BODDART, Planch. El., 1784, 939. 
Nyctiardea gai deni, BaiRD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 678. 
Nyctiardea grisea, var. nevia, ALLEN, Ball. M. C. Z , iii, 1872, 182. 
No peculiar feathers excepting two or three very long filamentous plawes sprir ging 
from the occipat, generally imbricated in one bande; bill very stoat; tarsi reticulate 
below in front; length, abont 2 feet; wing, 12-14 inekes; bill, tarsus, and middie toe, 
about 3. Crown, scapulars and inter-scapulars very dark glossy-green ; general plum- 
age bluish-gray, more or less tinged with lilzc; forchead, throat line and most under- 
parts whitish ; occipital plumes white; bill black ; lores greenish; eyes red ; feet yellow. 
Young very different; Jacking the plumes; grayish-brown, paler below, extensively 
speckled with white; quills chocolate-brown, white-tipped. 
Habitat, United States and British Provinces. Breeds abundantly in New England. 
Wixtere in the Sonth and beyond. Part of the West Indies. Mexico. Contral America. 
South America. 
The Night Heron is not an uncommon bird in all suitable localities in 
the State, probably breeding in retiredswamps. Id nct know postively 
of its breeding within the State, but Mr. Langdon records the capture of 
full fledged young at Madisonville, in June and July. In this vicinity 
it is most common in the fall. Asits name indicates it is more nocturnal 
in its habits than other members of this family, and on that account 
more frequently heard than seen. Its note is aloud hoarse squawk. 
Genus BOTAURUS. Stephens. 
No peculiar crests or plames. Sexessimilar. Tail of ten feathers. Tarsi shorter than 
middle toe. 
Boravurus minor (Gm.) Boie. 
Bittern; Indian Hen. 
Ardea minor, KtRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 1838, 165. 
Botaurus lentiginosus, WHBaTON, Ohio Agric. Rep. fur 1860, 368; Reprint, 1861, 10; Field 
Notes, i, 1861, 129.—TREMBLY, ib., i, 1861, 180. 
Botaurus minor, WHRATON, Food of Birds, etc., Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1874, 573; Reprint, 
1875, 13 —LaNGDON, Cat. Birds of Cin., 1877, 15; Revised List, Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. 
Hisé., i, 1879, 184 ; Reprint, 18; Summer Birds, ib., iti, 1880, 227. 
