SHORE AND MARSH BIRDS. Least Bittern 



but is never merry, and maintains a stoical silence even, in 

 the midst of a bog of plenty ; a table fairly overladen with 

 the frogs, lizards, snakes, etc., that his appetite craves. His 

 long legs, which trail awkwardly behind him in flight, are 

 said to act as a rudder to direct his course. 



Least Bittern : Ardetta exilis. 



Length: 11-14 inches. 



Male : Top of head, which is slightly crested, and back rich, greenish 

 black. Back of neck chestnut brown, also wing coverts and 

 the edges of some quills. Tail like back. Below muddy 

 yellow, with dark brown patches on sides of breast, and some 

 white around the throat. Bill, eyes, and toes yellow. 



Female : Purplish chestnut above. 



Season : Summer resident, breeding near Stratford on the Housatonic. 



Breeds : Through range in marshes in company with the Rails. 



Nest : On a mat of old rushes a foot or two above ground. 



Eggs : Usually 4, of a livid hue. 



Eange : Temperate North America, from the British Provinces to the 

 West Indies and northern South America. 



The Least Bittern, the smallest of its family, has a 

 curiously hybrid appearance, and is not easy to place; it 

 is shy and always hiding in the reeds, and even when you 

 catch a glimpse of it, the resemblance to a Eail is confus- 

 ing. You may startle them when looking for Marsh Wrens' 

 nests, and, as they shoot up from the reeds for a moment, 

 before settling again, you will have your best chance of 

 identifying them. After being once disturbed, and seeing 

 the cause, they remain wisely in seclusion, and no amount 

 of poking and thrashing will drive them out. 



As with the majority of Shore and Water Birds, it is 

 almost impossible to go afoot to their breeding-haunts. A 

 canvas duck boat, easily carried, hip boots, and a water and 

 mosquito proof disposition are necessary for anything 

 more than the most casual study of these birds in their 

 haunts. 



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