606 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



tail feathers ten, short and not very stiff; outer toe shorter than 

 inner one; color ochraceous, mottled with brown and black 

 above ; quills slate, tipped with cinnamon ; lower parts buff, 

 striped with brown ; dark spot on sides of neck. Length, 23 to 

 34 inches ; tail, 4| inches ; bill, 3 inches ; tarsus, 3| inches ; 

 middle toe, 3| inches. 



" Very numerous. Appear in March, and are not unfrequently 

 seen as late as November. They are most abundant on the edges 

 of dense swamps, and when frightened take refuge by flying a 

 short distance over and then dropping into them. Are largely 

 nocturnal in their habits, and about sundown make their neigh- 

 borhood hideous with their coarse, peculiar croak. Do not fre- 

 quent the river shores to any extent. Are abundant in the 

 neighborhood of the ocean. Breed in swamps, raising one brood 

 only. Feed largely upon frogs, and have been seen turning 

 over stones in the bottom of brooks, evidently in search of 

 salamanders. Are known as ' stake drivers ' in some localities. 

 Strictly inoffensive." 



B. exilis, Gmel. (Ardetta, Gr.) Least Bittern. 



Male glossy greenish black above, brownish yellow below ; 

 sides of neck and shoulders with chestnut ; female with purplish 

 chestnut instead of black. Length, 14 inches; tail, If inches; 

 bill, If inches; tarsus, If inches. 



" This beautiful little bird is more sensitive to cold weather, 

 and seldom is seen . before May 1st. It frequents meadows, and 

 is generally found walking about in grass much taller than itself. 

 It is rather shy, but when flushed, flies but a short distance. 

 Does not take readily to trees. Although more abundant in 

 the southern and central portions of the State, is generally to be 

 found wherever one may look if it be marshy, open ground. 

 They feed largely upon insects and the small fish that wander 

 from the creeks into the ditches that drain meadow lands. 

 Strictly inoffensive." 



ARDBA, L. 



A. herodias, L. Great Blue Heron. 



Tail feathers twelve, stiff; feet black ; outer toe not shorter 

 than inner one; claws short and much curved; bill long and 

 narrow; tibia chestnut brown, bare for two or more inches; 



