200 Bird - Lore 



was not to see the babies in their cradle, or ever to learn whether they escaped 

 the dangers that beset the little wild birds that begin life in the marsh. 



Another time, in a distant state, I again invaded the haunts of the Least 

 Bittern. I came upon three young birds, in a bush, that probably were only a 

 day or two out of the nest. Evidently, they had traveled some distance from 

 the place of their hatching, for there was no shelter within a hundred yards 

 where the nest could have been concealed, and all search failed to reveal it. I 

 was passing within live feet of their hiding-place when I discovered them. All 

 were standing perfectly still, with their bodies compressed rigid and upright, 

 and their long necks and bills pointing straight upward. Foolishly, I tried to 

 take one in my hand, and it immediately flew, but either through weakness or 

 some other cause, fell into the water before going far. I picked it up and restored 

 it to the bush, but it at once attempted to escape, this time falling almost at 

 once. Fearing that by repeated annoyance the bird might overdo its strength 

 and perhaps drown, I backed the boat slowly away, and in a few minutes had 

 the satisfaction of seeing the young Bittern rejoin its companions on the bush. 

 The other two being wiser, or less frightened perhaps, had made no effort to 

 escape, and, so far as could be seen, had never changed their position since my 

 first intrusion. 



There are some birds that seek their living while hopping or flitting in 

 bushes or trees; others as they walk or hop along the ground; some as they circle 

 through the air far above the ground, and still others while swimming on the 

 water or diving below its surface. This Bittern belongs to the family of Herons, 

 and, as is well known. Herons secure their prey by wading in shallow water 

 and striking out with their long, sharp bills. Although a Heron, the Least 

 Bittern does not go fishing in this way. Its body is light and its toes long and 

 flexible. Apparently, it feeds entirely where the water is too deep for the bird 

 to wade. With lowered head and bill extended, it goes through the marsh 

 grass or reeds, grasping first one stalk and then another, as it proceeds just 

 above the water. 



The great naturalist, John James Audubon, tells us in his writings about 

 the kind of food this bird eats. He says: 



"The food of this bird consists of snails, slugs, tadpoles, or young frogs or 

 water-lizards. In several instances, however, I have found small shrews and 

 field-mice in their stomach. Although more nocturnal than diurnal, it moves a 

 good deal about by day in search of food. About noon, being doubtless much 

 fatigued, they are not infrequently observed standing erect on one foot, and 

 so soundly asleep as to be easily knocked down or even caught by the hand, if 

 cautiously approached." 



The Least Bittern is fully i6 inches in length, provided the measurement 

 is made from the tip of the bill to the end of the nail of the long little toe. From 

 tip to tip of its wings, when these are spread, the distance is i>^ feet. It is 

 astonishing how a bird of this size can pass with such ease through the thick 



