ARAMUS. 67 



sionally started in the interior of the great marshes of Fresh 

 Pond, near Boston, where they probably breed, in the sedgy 

 tussocks ; though we have occasionally seen one or two in 

 the society of the Kwa Birds, in the dark woody swamp of 

 their breeding place. We are not conscious that they ever 

 utter any very audible note, at least, they are perfectly silent 

 when surprised in their retreat. The eggs of the European 

 species are described as being white. According to Wilson, 

 a few of these birds also breed in the low marshy meadows 

 below Philadelphia. 



The Least Bittern is about 12 inches in length, and 16 in alar ex- 

 tent. Bill, nearly straight, yellow, ridged with black, 2\ inches 

 long. Lores, pale yellow. Irids, bright yellow. Crested head, back, 

 scapulars and tail, deep dusky, reflecting slight tints of green. Throat 

 white, tinged in places with buff. Hind part of the neck dark chest- 

 nut bay. Sides of the neck, cheeks, and line over the eye, brown 

 buff. Greater wing-coverts chestnut, with a spot of the same at 

 the bend of the wing. Primaries, dusky. Breast white, with an 

 ochreous tint, beneath which are a number of blackish feathers. 

 Belly and vent white. Legs greenish on the shins, the hind part and 

 feet yellow ; thighs almost Avholly feathered ; middle claw pectin- 

 ated ; feet large. Sexes nearly alike in plumage. The young are 

 brown on the crown and back. 



ARAMUS. (Vieillot, Temm. Scolopax, Lin.) 



With the bill much longer than the head, cleft beneath the eyes, 

 straight, compressed and somewhat curved at tip ; upper mandible 

 slightly furrowed: the lower turgid towards the middle, acute, and 

 angular beneath. Nostrils wide, linear, pervious, situated above 

 the base of the bill. Head wholly feathered ; the lores naked. Feet 

 long, the naked space above the tarsus extensive ; toes entirely divid- 

 ed ; hind toe half the length of the inner, bearing on the ground 

 with several joints ; nails long and slender, the posterior longest. 

 Wings moderate, the first primary rather short and curved ; the 3d 

 longest. Tail short, of 12 feathers. 



