I02 WADING BIRDS. 



startled it gives a cry resembling the qua of the Night Heron, 

 and displays a Rail-like disposition to hide amid the grass rather 

 than fly from danger. Some observers think its flight is feeble 

 and cannot be sustained, while others affirm that the bird is 

 capable of prolonged flight. 



CORY'S LEAST BITTERN. 



BOTAURUS NEOXENA. 



Char. Similar to B. exilis, but smaller, and lacking the stripes of buff 

 on the sides of the back ; lower tail-coverts black ; wing-coverts chestnut. 

 Length about ii inciies. 



Nest and Eggs. Unknown. 



This species was described by Mr, Charles B. Cory in 1886 

 from the type which was taken in Florida by Mr. R. T. Stuart. A 

 second specimen, taken in Florida during July, 1889, was reported 

 by Mr. W. E. D. Scott. 



The habits of the bird are supposed to be similar to those of 

 exilis. Mr. Scott's example was discovered while walking on the 

 leaves of pond-lilies, and when startled it retreated to the tall grass 

 on the margin of the pond. 



LIMPKIN. 



COURLAN. 



Aramus giganteus. 



Char Prevailing color dark brown glossed with purple; head, neck, 

 and back striped with white ; throat white. General appearance rather 

 Heron-like. Length about 26 inches. 



Nest. Amid rushes or upon a low bush, on the margin of a pond or 

 stream ; made of vine-leaves and grass. 



Eggs. 4-8; buffy white or grayish white spotted with brown and gray ; 

 variable in size, average about 2.40 X \-']0. 



This singular bird principally inhabits Cayenne, Brazil, and 

 Paraguay, where it is rather common ; it is numerous in the 



