81 



head drawn in to the body and legs reaching out behind, is so similar to that of the Herons 

 that unless the light so falls as to show the colour, apparent size only differentiates them. 



Nesting. On ground, in grass, hayfields, or reed-grown marshes, nest of grass or 

 reeds. 



Distribution. Common throughout the settled portions of Canada, breeding wherever 

 found. 



References to the lonely booming of the Bittern are frequently seen 

 in English literature. We can hardly say that our American Bittern 

 "booms," but its note is most peculiar and is unique amongst American 

 bird notes. The common names, "Thunder-pump" and "Stake-driver," 

 are applied in reference to the strange noises it makes. Near a marsh one 

 may hear a sound as of some one driving a stake with a wooden maul into 

 soft mud. There is the dull thud of the blow with a sucking liquid echo 

 followed closely by a squdgy drive. At other times sounds are heard like 

 some one frantically working a dry sucking pump that draws the water 

 part way and refuses to lift it farther. These are variants of the Bittern's 

 love song and contain no recognizable vocal qualities. 



Economic Status. The Bittern is a bog haunter and eats frogs, craw- 

 fish, snakes, small fish, crustaceans, insects, and probably even young 

 birds and mice. It eats little or no vegetable matter. Bitterns are 

 quite harmless as a class and may be useful. 



191. Least Bittern. FR. LE PETIT BUTOR. Ixobrychus exilis. L. 13. Smallest 

 heron-like wader found in Canada. Coloured in broad masses of creams, ochres, and 

 Indian reds, with black or brown back and cap, depending on sex. 



Distinctions. Owing to its small size and striking coloration, can be mistaken for 

 nothing else in Canada except perhaps its very close and rare relative, Cory's Least Bittern 

 I. neoxena. This latter bird has the creams and ochres replaced by seal or reddish brown 

 and it is still undecided whether or not it is only a colour phase of the common form. 



Field Marks. Small size and striking colours make the species unmistakable. Seldom 

 seen except at close range when colour and size are evident. 



Nesting. Generally over water, in nest on platform of dead rushes in a marsh or 

 reed-patch. 



Distribution. A common but rather local bird in the more southern parts of Ontario 

 and Quebec. Breeds wherever found in Canada. 



The Least Bittern frequents wet, cat-tail marshes, usually of rather 

 extensive area, and is rarely observed except by those who invade its 

 quiet precincts. The American Bittern is often seen winging its way from 

 marsh to marsh, but the Least Bittern remains within its home swamp and 

 rarely ventures beyond it. It is a silent bird and has little or no vocal 

 attainments. 



Sub-family Ardeince. True Herons and Egrets. 



General Description. More slender and graceful birds than the Bitterns and, on an 

 average, of larger size. Smallest are very little smaller than the American Bittern and none 

 are as small as the Least Bittern. Colour makes the easiest differentiation. 



Distinctions. Herons are usually coloured slate-blue or dull greens, but are sometimes 

 white. Bitterns on the other hand have a pronounced yellow colour. Many Herons have 

 long fine plumes on the crown, lower throat, or back, and all Canadian species when in full 

 breeding plumages show the plumes to greater or less extent at one or more of these points; 

 but they are usually absent in the autumn. ^ 



Field Marks. The characteristic outline in flight, with sharp pointed bill, head drawn 

 in to the shoulders, and legs trailing behind, is common to both the Bitterns and Herons 



