194 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



a magnificent male, the first mature bird of this species ever 

 taken, to my knowledge, in the state of Minnesota" (Oologist, 

 xii, 8, 1895, 126). 



"Two specimens recorded from Omaha by I. S. Trostler and 

 L. Skow, one killed near Florence I,ake, Aug. 19, 1893, ^^'^ ^ 

 second near Cut-off I^ake, April 6, 1897 " (Rev. Bds. Neb, 31). 



Suborder HERODII. 



Family ARDEID.^. Herons and Bitterns. 

 Subfamily BOTAURIN.F:. Bitterns. 



Two species of Bitterns are found in the state. As a rule they 

 are solitary birds, frequenting grassy marshes. Their food con- 

 sists principally of frogs, small fishes, tadpoles, etc., which are 

 captured by striking with the sharp-pointed beak. 



Genus Botaurus Stephens. 



68. (190). Botaurus le7itioinosus '(Monidig.). American Bittern. 



The American Bittern is a common migrant in all parts of the 

 state and considerable numbers remain during the summer where- 

 ever there are .secluded marshes or sloughs. It cannot be consid- 

 ered as an abundant summer resident, for its habits are solitary, 

 and usually not more than one or two pairs are found nesting in 

 the same slough. The Bittern's peculiar note, sounding like the 

 noise made by an old pump, or the strokes of a mallet upon a 

 stake, has gained for it the popular colloquial names of " Thun- 

 der-pumper " and "Stake-driver." When suddenly startled at 

 close range, the bird frequently remains standing perfectly motion- 

 less, with the long neck and bill pointed vertically upwards, in 

 which position the broad longitudinal stripes on the neck blend 

 with the surrounding reeds and rushes, and the bird becomes 

 almost invisible. 



The American Bittern is an early migrant, appearing as .soon 

 as the ice is fairly out of the marshes. It also remains quite late 

 in the fall. I mounted a male bird shot by Louis Dennis near 

 Cedar Rapids, Nov. 12, 1905. The stomach of a .specimen shot 

 near Forest City, Oct. 8, 1892, contained two whole frogs with 

 their backs l^roken, and parts of .several other frogs. When incu- 

 bating, the female sits quite clo.sely, frequently remaining on the 



