American Bittern. 309 



aquatic insects, younir crayfish, snails, tadpoles, minnows, 

 animalcules, besides the seeds of the various aquatic plants. 

 It probably procures a bountiful living, as such localities 

 are rich in animal and plant life to supply the needs of the 

 swamp birds. The economical relations of the king rail 

 are not so important to the farmer and the gardener as 

 those of the birds that resort to the woodlands and open 

 upland prairies; yet it is without doubt a useful member 

 of avian society, and certainly worthy the slight attention 

 given to it by those who sometimes visit its home in 

 the swamp-lakes. 



AMEEICAN BITTERN. 



While there are some birds which have readily adapted 

 themselves to the changing conditions brought about by 

 the increase of rural population, there are others which do 

 not take so kindly to the rapid encroachments upon their 

 domains. The latter have withdrawn to secluded localities 

 where they may retain all their primitive habits. Such has 

 been the action of the American bittern, formerly so com- 

 mon throughout this prairie region that it could be found 

 on every little slough and water-course. The draining 

 of the sloughs so characteristic of the original prairie 

 regions, and the drying up of the smaller streams in con- 

 sequence of the steady clearing of the forests, have de- 

 prived many of the water birds of the scattered resorts 

 they found so attractive. Now the American bittern can 

 be found only in the swamp-lakes and bottom meadows 

 of the larger rivers. Like the American Indian, it has 

 retired before the advancing wave of civilization, and 

 clings to the old and marked characteristics of its race. 

 When seeking new resorts, however, the bittern can some- 

 times be seen flying over the prairies just before nightfall, 

 always flying high and somewhat slowly beyond the 

 reach of harm and detailed observation. 



The habitat of the American bittern is temperate North 

 America; in summer from the southern limits of the mid- 

 dle States to about the sixtieth parallel, and in winter from 

 the Southern States to Guatemala, West Indies, and the 

 Bermudas. In central Illinois it is perfectly migratory, 



