THE COMMON AND THE LITTLE BITTERN 131 



part of the legs yellowish-green. Length, from bill 

 to tail, thirty inches. 



THE LITTLE BITTERN. 



(Ardetta minuta.) 



MALE. The bill yellow ; the ridge and point of 

 upper mandible dusky. Upper part of head, back 

 scapulars, and tail glossy greenish-black ; small 

 coverts huffish, secondary coverts greyish-white, 

 primary coverts black ; quills black, glossed with 

 green. The sides of the head and neck yellowish- 

 brown ; the rest light buff feathers, on front part of 

 breast brownish-black edged with buff; iris bright 

 yellow ; legs and feet dull greenish-yellow. Length, 

 from bill to tail, fourteen inches. 



The female is similar to the male, but not so 

 richly coloured. 



