FAMILY ARDEIDAE II3 



rence, 1862, p. 478). The specimen, in the American Museum of 

 Natural History, is marked 1862, with indication that it was re- 

 ceived from McLeannan, but no further data. 



The bittern has been found several times in Costa Rica, but that 

 apparently is its usual southern limit during its migrations. Normally 

 it frequents open, grassy, fresh — or brackish — water marshes. 



[The pinnated bittern, Botaurus pimtatus, somewhat blacker above 

 than the American bittern, with the neck barred heavily with slaty 

 black, is recorded from Costa Rica and Colombia. It is possible that 

 it may be found in grassy marshes along the Caribbean Coast of 

 Panama.] 



IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS (Gmelin): Least Bittern; Garza Enana 



Smallest of the herons, easily recognized by its size — less than 

 half that of the little green heron, or martinete — and by its buffy color. 



Description. — Length 250 to 330 mm. Male, with back and crown 

 black; sides of head, neck and wings chestnut; greater wing coverts 

 buff ; underparts buffy white. 



Female, brown, with the under surface streaked with buff. 



The least bittern frequents fresh-water marshes where it remains 

 hidden in tall grass and rushes, though toward evening it may appear 

 in the open to fly across channels to some feeding place. At other 

 times they flush rarely, even when closely approached. The few 

 records come from around Barro Colorado Island and from the 

 Chagres marshes near Juan Mina. Two races are found, one a winter 

 migrant from the north, the other, of South American affinity, a 

 resident. 



IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS EXILIS (Gmelin) 



Ardea exilis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, pt. 2, 1789, p. 645. (Jamaica.) 



Characters. — Side of head buff. 



Winter visitor from the north. 



The only certain records are of two females, one that I took in 

 the marshes opposite the dock at Juan Mina on January 31, 1959, and 

 another, now in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 

 collected on September 13, 1913, at Mount Hope, Canal Zone, by 

 L. L. Jewel. 



IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS ERYTHROMELAS (Vieillot) 



Ardea crythromelas (sic) Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. Hist. Nat., nouv. ed., vol. 14, 

 Sept. 1817, p. 422. (Rio Paraguay.) 



Characters, — Differs from typical exilis in having the side of the 



