XXII 



LITTLE GREEN HERON; FLY-UP-THE-CREEK ; CHALK-LINE, 



POKE. 

 201. Butorides virescens (Linn.) 



With the single exception of the Least Bittern, this 

 is the smallest of the long-legged fish-eating Herons. In- 

 cluding the length of its long bill, neck, legs and little 

 body the bird measures only from seventeen to eighteen 

 inches. It is marked by a greenish crown and line below 

 the eyes, a buffy-white throat, a general reddish chestnut 

 back and an ashen belly. 



Anywhere in temperate North America or even as 

 far north as Manitoba this Heron may be found. Its 

 favorite habitat is along the tree and brush-grown shores 

 of shallow lakes and small streams, where it finds an 

 abundance of minnows, snails, crawfish and other small 

 denizens of the shallow water. 



From choice the Little Green Heron prefers solitude 

 and is seldom seen with others of its kind, though on rare 

 occasions it builds its nest along with other Herons and 

 with Cormorants. This nest is an unfinished affair of 

 coarse sticks, usually located in trees from ten to fifteen 

 feet from the ground. 



All country boys are on familiar terms with this 

 little Heron, as both are wont to frequent the same swim- 

 ming hole or fishing stream. Many of us recall the soli- 

 tary bird fisherman, dropping on noiseless wings on a 

 dead snag or stump near where we were fishing. Do you, 

 dear reader, remember how it used to register surprise 

 when it discovered you, fairly springing into the air like 

 a "jack in the box" and uttering agitated squawks, as 

 with dangling legs and extended neck it flew to some 

 nearby dead tree or limb, where it perched with its neck 

 stretched to its fullest, watching you and giving an occa- 

 sional squawk of protest? From its habits you recall 



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