49 



and probably does still. Frequents wet meadows and the bor- 

 ders of ponds. Feeds on frogs, mollusks, insects, etc. Note 

 resembles the sound made by driving a stake into soft ground 

 with a mallet. 



18. Ardetta exilis (Qmel.). 



LEAST BITTERN. 



Crown, back and tail, greenish-black in male, purplish-chestnut in 

 female; back of neck and most of wing coverts, chestnut; beneath, 

 brownish-yellow. Length, 11-14 inches. 



Apparently very rare. Only specimen reported was taken 

 near Northampton. 



19. Ardea herodias Linn. 

 GREAT BLUE HERON. 



Above, slaty-blue; beneath, black and white or ashy (young) ; tibia and 

 edge of wing, chestnut. Length, 4-2-50 inches. 



Rare and of irregular occurrence. Most of the specimens 

 taken have been in late summer, in the young plumage. 



20. Ardea egretta Qmel. 

 AMERICAN EGRET. 



Pure white; bill, cheeks and eyes, yellow; legs and feet, black. Length, 

 36-42 inches. 



One instance. North Hadley, Aug. 27, 1883. Three were 

 seen and 1 shot. An accidental visitor from the south. 



21. Ardea candidissima Qmel. 



SNOWY HERON. 



Pure white; cheeks, eyes and feet, yellow; bill and legs black. Length,„ 

 24 inches. 



Another accidental visitor from the south. A single speci- 

 men was taken near Northampton about 1883. 

 5 



