A MARSH MYSTERY 
Early the next morning we went again to 
the vicinity of our adventure, hoping to 
catch sight of the little brood; but although 
the same queer noises were heard on all 
Immature sora rail 
sides, we saw nothing of the rails. Rowing 
around a floating bog, we came suddenly 
upon a least bittern, who instantly stiffened 
into statue-like imitation of his surroundings, 
and trusted to his protective coloring to 
escape notice. As we pushed toward him, 
and he knew he was discovered, he retreated 
through the rushes with the strangest gym- 
nastics. Grasping a reed stalk in each foot, 
he strode rapidly from stalk to stalk, pausing 
IAI 
