FAMILY ARDEID^E. HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS. 



89 



FAMILY ARDEIO4E. 



Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns. 



Bill, nearly straight and sharply pointed ; inner side of middle toe nail, 

 with distinct comb-like edge ; toes, four, all on same level. Bitterns, tail 

 with ten feathers. Herons, tail with twelve feathers. 



* Group 1. Wing, less than 6 inches long. 



Least Bittern. 



Underparts and sides of the head and throat, buff white ; a black patch on sides of 

 the breast. Ardetta exilis. Least Bittern. 



See No. 146. 



Underparts and sides of the head and throat, rufous chestnut ; under tail coverts, 

 dull black. Ardetta neoxena. Cory's Least Bittern. 



See No. 147. 



* For directions for measurement, see page 9. 



