Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 513 

 36. BITTERN 



BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS (Montagu) 



This . interesting bird, also known as Great Bittern, Stake- 

 driver, Thunder-pumper, and Indiana Hen, is a fairly common 

 summer resident at Lake Maxinkuckee. It arrives early in April 

 and remains until about the last of October. Our spring records 

 are April 15 and May 2, 1885; April 14 and May 1, 1901; and 

 April 23, 1909. Following these dates it was seen almost daily. 

 In 1899 it was observed daily or whenever visits were made to 

 localities which it frequents, during July, August and September, 

 and it was frequently noted in October. In 1900 it was seen as 

 late as October 28. In 1903 one was noted September 21. In 

 1906, a dozen or more were seen September 6 along Outlet Bay. 

 In 1907 one or more were noted October 21 and 28. And one was 

 killed August 31, 1908. 



The Bittern is a bird of the marshes and most delights in those 

 bordering lakes. At Maxinkuckee its favorite haunts are the great 

 marsh about Norris Inlet at the head of the lake, the Scirpus 

 patches off the Gravelpit, the narrow strip of marsh fringing 

 Outlet Bay, and, most of all, the splendid marshy borders of Lost 

 Lake and the Outlet to below Walley's. In these situations Bit- 

 terns may be seen any day during the spring, summer and fall. It 

 may often be seen stalking sedately about on the sedgy flats or 

 skulking mysteriously among the tall Typha and other aquatic 

 plants. 



It doubtless breeds at this lake, though we have never found a 

 nest. It does not breed in colonies as do most of the herons, and 

 its nest is not easy to discover. It is placed by preference in the 

 more impenetrable swampy places and on the ground or a mass 

 of decaying vegetation. The eggs are brownish-drab or isabella 

 color, unspotted. 



37. LEAST BITTERN 



IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS (Gmelin) 



This pretty little bittern is seen rather frequently about the 

 lake throughout the summer. It has been noted every month from 

 April to October. They doubtless breed in the patches of reeds and 

 cattails that border the lake, but we have not found any nests. The 

 birds, are solitary and wholly quiet, and are rarely or never seen 

 except when frightened. Then they rise and fly in a rather awk- 

 ward manner for a short distance, then drop among the reeds 

 where they conceal themselves. Their protective coloration serves 



