168 ARDEID^E. 



very uncertain, are two inches long and one and a half 

 broad, and of an olive colour. 



The American Bittern is known in most parts of the 

 country by the name of "Indian Hen," and is not an 

 easy bird to approach. It is generally used by the 

 settlers for making soup ; but when in proper condition 

 is considered excellent eating. Specimens of this bird 

 have been shot in Ireland, and Yarrell* mentions several 

 instances of its having been killed in England, and on 

 one occasion in Scotland, near the residence of Sir 

 William Jardine, in Dumfriesshire. 



The Little Bittern (Ardetta exilis) is much rarer, and 

 is confined principally to the swamps lying on the 

 southern shore of the St. Lawrence. It is not the same 

 species as the Little Bittern of Southern Europe. In 

 the male the head and upper parts are a glossy dark 

 green; the neck and shoulders purplish chestnut. In 

 the female the head is the same colour as the neck. 



That excellent bird, the Golden Plover (Charadius 

 Virginicus), a variety of our species, is found abundantly 

 in different parts of the Lower Province. 



Two other well-known plovers are the Semipalmated 

 or King Plover (^Egialitis semipalmatus) and the " Kill- 

 deer." The former, which is most excellent eating, is 



* British Birds. 



