HERON FAMILY 



183 



position in the northern States is complete. A 

 fairly compact j)latforni nt jilant stems and 

 grasses serves as a nest, on which from three to 

 six elliptical jiale bluish eggs are laid. It is 

 usually situated in clusters of tall grass or reeds 

 and at a distance varying from one to four feet 

 from the water. 



In many of the fresh-water ponds of Florida 

 certain small areas, near the shore, are covered 

 with a thick growth of buttonwood bushes. 

 These are popular places for small colonies of 

 the Boat-tailed Crackle, the big shiny Blackbird 

 of the country. In the midst of these Blackbird 

 villages one may often find a Least Bittern's nest. 

 They do not assemble in colonies like most mem- 

 bers of the family, the two or three nests some- 

 times found in the same neighborhood evidently 

 having been placed close together more because 

 the different pairs chanced to like the location, 

 than from any desire for the companionship of 

 their kind. Although I have always found these 

 Bitterns partial to fresh water in the summer, 

 Arthur T. \\ayne states that in South Carolina 

 they also breed regularly in salt marshes, and 

 that during migratinn they constantly frequent 

 such locations. 



To find a nest full of young Least Bitterns is 

 an event to remember. Standing at their full 

 height with bills pointed skyward they remain as 

 motionless as though cast in bronze. The alter- 

 nate light and dark streaks on their breasts and 

 throats blend perfectly with the coloring of the 

 reeds about them. Evidently they know that so 

 long as they are still they are perfectly hidden. 

 .\ rare and closely allied bird variously known 

 as Cory's Least Bittern (f.robr\cliiis nco.vcniis), 

 Cory's Bittern, or Cory's Dwarf Bittern, has been 

 found in Florida, Ontario, Michigan, and per- 

 haps elsewhere. 



T. Gilbert Pe.\rson. 



Drawing by R- I. Brasher 



LEAST BITTERN (j nat. size) 

 The smallest of the Herons in ** the frozen position ' 



GREAT WHITE HERON 

 Ardea occidentalis Audubon 



\. U. U. N'umber 192 



Other Name. — Florida Heron. 



General Description. — Length. 48 to 54 inches. 

 Head not crested, ijiit in breeding season with a few 

 feathers long and flowing; plumage, pure white; bill, 

 yellow, greenish at base; legs and feet, yellow: iris, 

 chrome yellow ; bare space around eye, bluish and green. 



Nest and Eggs. — Nest : In low bushes or high trees ; 

 a simple platform of sticks. EcGS : 3 to 5, bluish-green. 



Distribution. — Region bordering Gulf of Me.xico 

 from southern Florida south to Cuba. Jamaica, and 

 Yucatan ; casual north to Anclote River and Micco, 

 Florida. 



