BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



57 



Birds}: "In some places as many as a dozen or twenty pairs breed 

 along the grassy shores of a small lake or pond. Like the last, it in- 

 habits reedy swamps and marshes where the quagmire abounds with a 

 luxuriant growth of rushes, which is also the home of the rails. The 

 nest is placed on the ground or in the midst of the rankest grass, or in 

 a bush. It is often placed on floating bog, and is simply a platform of 

 dead rushes. The bird has many odd habits. When standing, on the 

 edge of a stream, with its neck drawn in, it is often taken for a wood- 

 cock, the long bill giving it this appearance. It appears so stupid at 

 times that it may be caught with the hand. The bird is mostly seen 

 just before or after sunset. In many of the southern states this species 

 rears two broods in a season, fresh eggs having been obtained in May 

 and August. In Texas, Mr. Rachford says, it nests along the edges of 

 the water courses in May, bending down the tops of water grass and 

 platting it into a snug little nest, about two or three feet above the 

 water. * * * * The eggs of the Least Bittern are from three to 

 five, usually four, in number, pale bluish or greenish-white, elliptical in 

 shape. The average size is 1.20 by .93." 



According to Nuttall, this species subsists chiefly on small fish and 

 aquatic insects. Audubon states that "the food of this bird consists of 

 snails, slugs, tadpoles, or young frogs and water-lizards. In several 

 instances, however, I have found small shrews and field-mice in their 

 stomachs." The food materials of six of these birds examined by me 

 are given, with date of collection, and locality where taken, in the fol- 

 lowing table : 



SUBFAMILY ARDEIN^S. HERONS AND EGRETS. 



GENUS ARDEA LINNAEUS. 

 Ardea herodias LINN. 



Great Blue Heron ; u Big Crane." 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 69). 



Adult. Bill about six inches long, chiefly yellow, dusky on culmen ; eyes yellow ; 

 legs and feet blackish, yellowish about toes ; lores greenish-yellow or bluish. The 

 color of bill, legs and lores vary greatly not only with age and season but also with 

 individuals. The male, larger than female, is about 4 feet long and about, six feet 

 from tip to tip. Forehead and central portion of crown white, surrounded on sides 

 and behind with black ; long occipital feathers black ; neck chiefly brownish-gray : 

 feathers on middle (in front) of lower two-thirds of neck, with a showy streak of 



