98 WADING BIRDS. 



ing with considerable expedition. It is also the least shy of 

 all our species, as well as the most numerous and widely dis- 

 persed, being seen far inland, even on the banks of the Mis- 

 souri, nearly to the River Platte, and frequent near all the 

 maritime marshes, and near ponds and streams in general. It is 

 also particularly attracted by artificial ponds for fish, not refrain- 

 ing even to visit gardens and domestic premises which any 

 prospect of fare may offer. It is at the same time perhaps as 

 much in quest of the natural enemy of the fish, the frog, as of 

 the legitimate tenants of the pond. These bold and intrusive 

 visits are commonly made early in the morning or towards 

 twilight, and it not unfrequently, when pressed by hunger, or 

 after ill-success, turns out to hunt its fare by day, as well as 

 dusk ; and at such times collects various larv^je, particularly 

 those of the dragon-fly, with grasshoppers and different kinds 

 of insects. At other times it preys upon small fish, crabs, and 

 frogs, for which it often hes patiently in wait till they reappear 

 from their hiding-places in the water or mud, and on being 

 transfixed and caught, — an operation which is effected with 

 great dexterity, — they are commonly beaten to death, if large, 

 and afterwards swallowed at leisure. 



The Small Bittern in the Middle States usually begins to 

 build about the 15th of April, sometimes in solitary pairs, in 

 dark and swampy woods, at other times in companies, and as 

 already remarked, by similarity of taste and habit frequently 

 joins the heronries of the larger species as its sort of humble 

 dependant and watchful defender of the general eyry. The 

 young, as usual, slowly acquire the full use of their limbs, and 

 remain patiently in the nest until able to fly. 



The Green Heron is a common summer resident of New Eng- 

 land, and though usually rather rare as far north as the Maritime 

 Provinces, is sometimes quite common there. It is common also 

 in Ontario and abundant in Ohio, and occurs westward to the 

 Mississippi. In winter the major portion of these birds retire to 

 the West Indies and northern South America, though a few remain 

 in the Gulf States. 



