ARDEID.E — THE HERONS — ARDETTA. 75 



of California. He lias met witli it along the coast in only a single instance. This 

 was in April, at 8anta Barbara. It chiefly frequents the marshes covered with tide, 

 or long grass, and is not easily discovered ; otherwise we should be probably able to 

 assign it a range as far north as the Columbia Eiver. It is only partially migratory 

 in California. Mr. Eidgway met with a single indi\'idual, in May, on the borders 

 of a small stream, among the willows, and not far from Pyramid Lake. 



Notwithstanding the impression which prevails, wherever this bird is at all com- 

 mon, that it is unable to sustain a prolonged flight, this idea can hardly be regarded 

 as well founded, as there can be no doubt of the migratory habits of the species. 

 A single specimen is mentioned as captured alive on the rocks of St. David's Head, 

 Bermuda, on the 20th of April, 1853, where it had alighted in its flight to the north ; 

 and jNIajor Wedderburn, besides the record of several specimens of this bird taken 

 by him in Bermuda in October and in December, mentions killing one near Boss's 

 Cove, on the loth of March, Avhile on the wing. With this exception, he Avas never 

 able to get them to take to wing, they always preferring to run about among the roots 

 of the mangroves, where they could only be found wdth great difficulty. Wilson 

 speaks of this bird as having been very rarely found on the salt-marshes. A single 

 bird shot near Great Egg Harbor was regarded as something very uncommon. It 

 was seen in the meadoAvs beloAV Philadelphia-, on the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, 

 where it bred every year in the thick tussocks of grass, in SAvampy places ; but 

 neither Wilson nor Audubon seems to haA^e knoAvn anything as to its eggs. The 

 latter states that on one occasion he kept a pair alive, feeding them Avith small 

 fish. They Avere very expert at catching flies, and Avould SAvalloAv caterpillars and 

 other insects. They were A'ery gentle, and, thoiigh they disliked to be handled, 

 made no attempt to strike at any one. They Avould climb Avith ease from the floor 

 to the top of the curtain Avitli their feet and claws. At the approach of night they 

 became much more lively. The same author states that this bird breeds in Florida 

 and in the Carolinas. Dr. Holbrook found it also breeding near Charleston. The 

 nest Avas usually on the ground, and Avas composed of dried and decayed weeds. The 

 number of eggs, as he states, is three ; but his account of them is so incorrect as to 

 throw doubt OA-er his AAdiole description of nesting and eggs. When startled, this 

 bird utters a Ioav cry, like ^^ qua ;" but its ordinary cry is a rough croak — a feeble 

 imitation of the note of the Great Blue Heron. Its flight, Avhich by day is appar- 

 ently so Aveak, at dusk is quite different. It then may be seen passing steadily 

 along, in the manner of the larger Herons. In the day it can hardly be induced to 

 fly, and it then moves in a confused and uncertain manner. Its food generally 

 consists of snails, slugs, tadpoles, young frogs, Avater-lizards, and occasionally 

 small shreAvs and field-mice. 



Mr. jSTelson speaks of this bird as being a common summer resident everywhere 

 in the marshes and sloughs of Illinois, arriving the 1st of May, and nesting early 

 in June. He has ahvays found its nest supported, at from tAvo to three feet above 

 the Avater, by the surrounding rushes. It is described as a very frail structure — 

 a thin platform from one to three inches thick, with scarcely depression enough in 

 the centre to prevent the eggs from rolling out. Small dry pieces of reeds are used 

 in building it. The eggs are usually from two to six in number. If approached 

 while on the nest, the female generally steps quietly to one side ; but if suddenly 

 surprised, takes to flight. Each nest is usually placed by itself ; but, in exceptional 

 cases, six or eight may sometimes be found in close proximity. 



Mr. B. F. Goss informs me that the Least Bittern usually constructs a little 

 platform nest a few feet from the ground, on broken-down weeds and grasses, just 



