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Range (Tropical and temperate America) (IV)

Tropical and temperate America; breeds as far north as Manitoba, Ontario, and the Bay of Fundy; winters from Florida southward. Washington, very common S. R., Apl. 15 to Sept. Long Island, common S. R., Apl. to Oct. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 6 to Sept. 26. Cambridge, common S. R., May 5 to Sept.

Nest, a platform of sticks in a bush or low branch of a tree. Eggs, three to six, pale, dull blue, 1.50 x 1.14.

The shores of wooded streams or ponds are frequented by this small Heron in preference to more exposed situations. It is most active in the early morning or at nightfall, and during the day rests quietly in some sheltered situation. When startled, it springs into the air with a frightened squawk, and, alighting at a safe distance on a tree or on some elevated perch, with upstretched neck watches the intruder, betraying its apprehension by nervous twitchings of the tail. It is a solitary bird, and, unlike most Herons, is never found in flocks. 202. Nycticorax nycticorax nævius (Bodd.). BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON; QUAWK. Ad.-Forehead, lores, neck, and under parts white or whitish; crown, upper back, and scapulars glossy, greenish black; lower back, wings, and tail ashy gray; legs and feet yellow; lores greenish; two or three white rounded occipital plumes about 8.00 in length. Im.-Upper parts grayish brown, the feathers streaked or with wedge-shaped spots of white or buffy; outer web of primaries pale rufous; under parts white, streaked with blackish. L., 24.00; W., 12.00; Tar., 3-20; B., 3.00.