BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 



153 



habit was assumed is interesting, for the birds were entirely unable to fly bein°- 

 only about two thirds grown, and their scanty juvenal feathers were tipped with 

 the fluffy natal down. When closely approached they abandoned this method of 

 deception, snapped their bills loudly in anger, erected the feathers of their necks 

 spread their feeble pin-feather wings, and sprang defiantly at us, emitting a faint 

 hissing snarl. One that I handled to examine closely, spat up great mouthfuls 

 of small fish. The manner in which they attempted to escape was interesting. 

 Crouching low, with necks drawn in and level with the back, they walked rapidly 

 through the short grass, and we found one drawn up in a small bunch at the foot 

 of the camera stand. Both the motionless and the crouching postures are the 

 familiar protective methods used by the adults. 



The nest was found in the open salt marsh within a few yards of the young. 

 It was a thin, flat platform a foot in diameter, made of dry grasses, entirely- 

 unprotected except by the surrounding short black-grass. 



76 [191] Ardetta exilis (Gmel.). 

 Least Bittern. 



Rare summer resident ; May 29 to August 14. 



This is an unknown bird to me, although, no doubt, I have often passed it 

 by. I hope to make its acquaintance. 



The records for the County are meager. One was flushed in the Topsfield 

 marshes by Mr. Laurence Brooks on May 29th, 1904, and one was shot there by 

 Dr. J. C. Phillips on August 9th, of the same year. There are three specimens 

 at the Peabody Academy: a male labeled, Lynn, 1880; a male, Topsfield, June 

 1 8th, 1893 ; and a female, from Topsfield, June 26th, 1893. Mr. W. A. Jeffries 

 has a female in his collection shot by Mr. Mixter at Palmer's Pond, Swamp- 

 scott, on August 14th, 1899. 



77 [194] Ardea herodias Linn. 

 Great Blue Heron ; " Crane." 



Common transient visitor; March 15 to June 4; (summer); July 27 to 

 November 3, December 2. 



I hoped to be able to enter this bird as a summer resident, but I have no 



