GREEN HERON. 65 



and, at such times, collects various larvae, particularly those 

 of the dragon fly, with grasshoppers, and diflferent kinds of 

 insects. At other times he preys upon small fish, crabs and 

 frogs, for which he often lies patiently in wait till they 

 reappear from their hiding places in the water or mud, and 

 on being transfixed and caught, which is effected with great 

 dexterity, they are commonly beaten to death, if large, and 

 afterwards swallowed at leisure. 



The Small Bittern, in the Middle States, usually begins 

 to build about the 15th of April, sometimes in solitary pairs, 

 in dark and sw^ampy woods, at other times in companies, 

 and, as already remarked, by a similarity of taste and habit, 

 they frequently join the heronries of the larger species, as 

 a sort of humble dependants, and watchful defenders of 

 the general eyry. The nest is fixed in the branches of 

 trees, occasionally concealed also in the summit of a hollow 

 trunk, made wholly of twigs, lined only with finer ones, and 

 is of considerable size, but slovenly put together. The 

 eggs are 4, oblong, and of a pale blue color. The young, 

 as usual, slowly acquire the full use of their limbs, and re- 

 main patiently in the nest until able to fly. Late in the 

 autumn, they begin to retire from the colder parts of the 

 Union, seceding gradually, and proceeding usually by single 

 families together. 



This species is about 18 inches long ; and 25 in alar extent. Bill 

 black, nearly straight, lighter below, and yellow at the base. Dorsal 

 train hoary green, shafted with white on a dark green ground. 

 Wings and tail, dark glossy green, tipt and bordered with yellowish- 

 white. Legs and feet yellow, tinged with green. Belly ashy-brown. 

 Crested head, dark glossy green. Irids orange. 



6* 



