WATER BIRDS. 



138 



69. Least Bittern. Ixobrychus exilis (Gmel). (191) 



Synonyms: Dwarf Bittern, Little Bittern, Least Heron. — Ardea exilis, Gmel., 1789' 

 Wils., Nutt., Aud. and otliers. — Ardetta exilis, Gmidl., Baird, Ridgw., Cones, and most 

 recent authors. 



Figure 32. 



Known from all but the next (which is extremely rare) by its diminutive 

 size — a veritable pigmy among the herons, its body hardly heavier than 

 that of a Robin. 



Distribution. — Temperate North America, north to the British Provinces 

 and south to the West Indies and Brazil. Less common west of the Rocky 

 Mountains; on the Pacific coast north to northern California. 



This tiny bittern or heron is really an abundant bird in all suitable 

 places in the state, but owing to its small size, peculiar haunts, and pro- 

 tective coloration, it is seldom 

 seen unless sought for especi- 

 ally. It frequents the wetter 

 marshes, particularly those 

 covered in large part with 

 heavy growths of cattails, wild 

 rice, and reeds (Phragmites). 

 Occasionally it is found in 

 meadows which are not ac- 

 tually flooded, or in the 

 fringe of brush and water 

 plants bordering a quiet 

 stream, but those are excep- 

 tional cases and it is never 

 numerous in such places. 

 Even where it is abundant the 

 explorer who goes floundering 

 and crashing through the 

 thick flags is not likely to see 

 it unless he stumbles upon the 

 nest, or by accident frightens 

 the bird so thoroughly as to 

 compel it to take flight. Or- 

 dinarily when threatened the 

 bird selects a favorable place, 

 grasps a twig or flag stem, 

 stretches head, body and legs 

 into one straight line, and re- 

 mains immovable — and practi- 

 cally invisible — until the dan- 

 ger is past. 



The nest is a slight platform 

 or shallow saucer of twigs, 

 sedges and grasses, in a tussock 

 or low bush, or on a mat of 

 broken down flags, always 



Fig. 32. Least Bittern. 

 From Bull. Mich. Ornith. Club. (By courtesy of V 

 Taverner.) 



