70 



The Ottawa Naturalist. 



[June 



stance in the history of this bird is that it has only been recorded 

 from two isolated and widely separated localities, viz., Southern 

 Florida, and Toronto, Ont., and it is interesting to note that not 

 until 1890 was it observed at Toronto, some four years after it 

 was discovered in Florida. In 1893, another was captured here, 

 and this year (1895) five have been secured. Quite a number have 

 been observed, but only five taken in Florida since the type was 

 obtained. 



This fact would lead to the supposition that the species 

 is increasing- in numbers; or is it because greater interest has been 

 taken in searching for them ? The marshy location at Toronto to 

 which the birds resort and where all the specimens recorded were 

 taken, is only about half a mile square protected from the waters 

 of Lake Ontario by a narrow sand bar a few yards in width, and 

 is situated immediately adjacent to the city of Toronto, so that 

 the bird, though evidently of retired habits, could scarcely have 

 chosen a more frequented piece of marsh. In Florida the habita- 

 tion of Cory's Bittern extends over a swampy area about 40 by 50 

 miles in extent. Of the specimens taken at Toronto, the majority 

 were males, and it was found by dissection of three of this number 

 that they feed on small bass and perch, and in one stomach there 

 was found the larva of a dragon-fly. That they breed at Toronto 

 seems evident from the dates at which the specimens were taken, 

 and the manner in which several allowed themselves to be cap- 

 tured, indicates either their stupidity or tameness. Its nesting 

 modes and eggs are similar to those of the other species of Least 

 Bittern. 



Note. — Since the nliove was writtcMi infornintion has been received of 

 several more specimens of this species being' taken at Toronto, and one in the 

 State of Michiifan. 



VV. L. K. 



