3Q THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 



Subgenus Ardetta. Gray. 



53. Least Bittern. B. exilis. (Gmel.) 



" Transient Visitant," rare. This little bittern 

 probably is more plentiful here than we are led to 

 believe, as, owing to its retiring habit in the 

 marshes, it is seldom come across. It possibly 

 may breed here . A few have been shot on the 

 Boucherville islands, and a beautiful adult specimen 

 was shot in May, 1890, at Lake St. Louis, and was 

 stuffed by Mr. Craig. 



Subfamily Ardeince. Herons and Egrets. 



Genus Ardea. Linnaeus. 



Subgenus "Ardea." 



54. Great Blue Her on. (Heron.) A. herodias. Linn. 

 " Transient Visitant," common. The young birds 



are plentiful during the months of August, Septem- 

 ber, and October, but the adult birds in spring are 

 scarce, and evidently not breeding here. Mr. Craig 

 found a fully developed egg in this species which 

 was shot about the middle of April, 1890, at Tem- 

 pleton near Ottawa, the egg was placed under a sit- 

 ting fowl, but in a few days it was broken by the 

 hen, whether intentionally or not is unknown. I 

 saw two or three between April 24 and 30, 1893, at 

 Lake of Two Mountains. 



