191. Ardetta exilis 
LEAST BITTERN. 13 inches 
Male. Top of head and back glossy black; sides of head and 
neck yellowish brown; lower half of wing yellowish edged with 
reddish brown. Below, whitish; black patch each side of breast; 
bill light yellow; legs greenish yellow. Female. Similar, but 
brown above. Below, yellowish streaked with brown. Immas 
ture. Like male but breast lightly streaked with black. Habits 
similar to the American Bittern. 
Note. “A few dovelike cooing notes.” 
Nest. In reedy meadows, on or near the ground. 
Breeds. Local summer resident of southern New England, more 
common near the coast. May to September. 
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