13 

 bird nests 13 indisputable. 



191. Ixobrychus exilis ( Gmel . ) . Least Bittern. 



The Least Bittern is one of the little-known 

 birds of the state, and yet in favorable localities it is 

 fairly common and at times has been an abundant breeder, 

 even within the city of Philadelphia. Along the lower 

 Delaware River in Delaware and Philadelphia Counties as 

 well as at Erie along the lake shore, the bird is a regu- 

 lar summer resident, while it has been found less common in 

 Washington County and once, far from tidewater, at Berwyn, 

 Chester County (Redfield). No records have been obtained 

 from the Susquehanna Valley, but it seem probable that the 

 bird should nest therejas in the other sections of the state 

 where the Cat-tails and Sweet Flags grow in extensive 

 patches. 



194. Ardea herodias herodias Linn. Great Blue Heron. 



Formerly the Great Blue Heron nested locally 

 thruout the whole state, but is now almost wholly extinct 

 as a nester. We have been unable to learn of a single 

 colony in southeastern Pennsylvania. Dr. Jack collected a 

 set of eggs near Media, Delaware County, and this seems 

 to be the only evidence of nesting about Philadelphia. In 

 the wilder mountainous regions, a few colonies still exist, 



