Vol. I-l 



No. I I Birds of Princeton. 



1901 J 



25 (191). Least Bittern. Ardetta exilis (G^;;z^/.). 



The most abundant representative of the order, but owing to its 

 retiring habits, rather unfrequently seen. The Least Bittern arrives 

 regularly each season about April 25 and soon becomes common, 

 especially at Grover's Pond and at the Millstone, near Gray's Mill. 



During the first week in June igoo, I was fortunate enough to find 

 six nests. All were placed in bushes two or three feet above the water 

 and sometimes as far as fifty feet from the shore. Only two were in 

 bushes away from the water. Five eggs seem to be the usual number. 

 In all cases the sitting bird stretching her neck and bill vertically in the 

 air would remain motionless until disturbed and then quietly slipping 

 from the nest would skulk off into the bushes, rarely going more than 

 twenty feet away. 



Both old and young depart for the south early in September. 



2^ (194). Great Blue Heron; Blue Crane. Ardea 

 herodias Linn. 



Common along the water courses, but only during the migrations. 

 Arriving in spring, about March 28, this species is here until the end 

 of April. The fall migration, however, is more extended and lasts from 

 July until the middle of November. 



27 (196). American Egret. Ardea egretta Gmel. 



A very rare and casual visitor from the south. Dr. Farr tells me 

 that during August 1897, five or six of these birds lived on the 

 marshes near Cranbury, departing early in September. 



28 (200). Little Blue Heron. Ardea caerulea Linn. 



In this locality the Little Blue Heron is a rare and unusual visitor. 

 Otto Dohm, Esq., took a mature male in the white plumage July 21, 

 1899, near Margerum's Pond, catalogued as No. 6939, University Col- 

 lection. Several others were seen. 



29(201). Little Green Heron; Poke. Ardea vires- 

 cens Linn. 

 A common summer resident arriving with great regularity the third 

 week in April. By the first of May they retire in single pairs or in 

 small companies to some secluded wood, sometimes as much as half a 

 mile from water, to breed. Five or six pairs nest every year in a thick 



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