<60 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



191. LEAST BITTERN (Ixobrychus exilis.) 



This Bittern is a summer resident and nests in the east- 

 ern part of the State. It resembles the Heron in shape, but is 

 very small, measuring only about twelve and one half inches 

 from tip of bill to end of tail. When standing erect it is not over 

 nine or ten inches high. These birds live in marshy places 

 among high reeds and rushes. They are usually seen perched 

 on perpendicular reeds where they evade detection by their pro- 

 tective coloration. They are slightly crested. Male : crown and 

 back black ; neck and under parts buff streaked with some white. 

 Female: similar, with crown and back brownish. 



194. GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias herodias.) 



The Great Blue Heron is erroneously called "Blue Crane" 

 by many, probably because it is bluish and has a long neck and 

 legs. They are common over the State. Individuals may be 

 seen feeding or resting along river bank and lake shores. Rarely 

 are two seen together. In August, 1914, however, nine were 

 observed in a small "waterhole" near the Missouri River in Sully 

 County, making their breakfast of minnows. Yet when flushed 

 they took flight separately, going in different directions. The 

 Great Blue Heron stands about three feet high and has a very 

 small body in proportion to the length of its legs and neck. 

 Crown white with black crest feathers; neck and body bluish 

 gray ; under parts light. They nest in colonies in trees. 



.201. GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens virescens.) 



The smallest of the Herons and a summer resident in 

 South Dakota. Crown dark green, crested; neck and breast 

 chestnut brown; under parts ashy; back green mixed with brown 

 and gray. The nest is usually built over water in high rushes, 

 "but sometimes in bushes near water. 



202. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax 



naevius.) 



A common resident over the State in summer, nesting 

 in colonies in trees ; much smaller than No. 194. Forehead white ; 

 crown and back dark glossy green; two or three long white 

 feathers on head except during the molting period; wings and 

 tail gray; neck, breast and belly light. The young are a uni- 

 form buff and brown. 



