BIRDS OF CUBA 3 1 



it is not unlikely that the fact that the Cuban guajiros (peasants) consider 

 them excellent eating may account for this. Nevertheless, for some reason 

 or other, the birds are shy in the safest and most unfrequented localities. 



23. Ixobrychus exilis exilis (Gmelin). 

 Least Bittern. 



While hunting Rails in the Clenaga de Zapata and about Lake 

 Ariguanabo I often have flushed Least Bitterns, which appear to be not 

 uncommon in suitable situations. They are known to breed in Cuba, 

 and there is a question as to whether all the birds observed are not really 

 residents, although no distinctive characters have ever been found. 



24. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu). 

 Bittern; Guanaba. 



During the winter months Bitterns are often flushed from reed beds 

 and saw-grass. They retire northward in late April. By the people they 

 are confused with the two species of Night Heron. 



25. Ajaia ajaja (Linne). 

 Spoonbill; Sevilla. 



Now a very rare bird. I know of no rookery in Cuban territory. 

 Single birds occasionally are seen in company with White Ibises and the 

 smaller Herons along the less frequented coast regions, where there are 

 mud-flats. There are thus a few about San Juan de los Perros and Punta 

 de Judas, about Cayo Romano, Cayo Coco and the esteros of the south 

 coast. I observed a few small bands among the marly salt-ponds and 

 mangrove sloughs of the wild and low-lying western shore of Cochinos 

 Bay, the least-visited corner of the entire Republic. There are still a 

 few about Nipe Bay. 



