176 SHORE BIRDS. 



also gives a loud rasping crj" and a chuckling 

 note ^vhen alighting. Occurs singh^, in 

 pairs, or in small Hocks, on mud flats or 

 sandy beaches. Occasionally perches on 

 dead branches of trees. Flight rather slow 

 and direct; wing-beats strong and well down, 

 not rapid. Breeds from N. J. to Fla. and 



Y\cr. 146 



Least Bittern. 1-d. 



irregularly north to N. E. Resident from 

 N. C. southward and in the Bahamas, un- 

 common on the coast of Mass. in fall and 

 rare in spring. 



' 121. WESTERN WILLET. 



Larixer than last with a longer more 

 slender l)ill, and with fewer and paler band- 



