Family ARDEIDAE. 

 Ardetta minuta (L.) — Little Bittern. 



(Plate 120, fig. a-d). 

 (Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 84, No. 197). 



Colour of surface of shell : 



Average dimensions: 

 Average weight of shell : 

 Texture of shell : 

 Shape : 



Nest: 



Site of nest: 



Number of eggs: 

 Breeding season : 

 Duration of incubation: 



white, ill wliich in fresh eggs an extremely 

 light bluish or bluish green shade is dis- 

 cernible. 



35 ;< 25.9 millimetres. 



0.68 gram. 



smoothly granulated. 



ovoidal or oval ; often slightly pointed at 

 the large end. 



composed of willow twigs, rushes and blades 

 of Gramineae. 



above the water on bent blades of reeds; 

 also between reeds and growths of weeds 

 on the top of a willow-stump or aldcr- 

 stump at 1 — 1',2 foot above the ground 

 or marsh. 



5--0 (sometimes mure). 



June-July. 



about 17 days. 



