AKDETTA EXIL1S. 421 



HABITS. 



The Least Bitterns are not uncommon in Massachusetts in suitable localities. They 

 are fond of wide-spread marshes, being seldom found out of them, and even there, appear 

 to prefer the wettest and most inaccessible portions. When disturbed in these retreats, 

 they rise suddenly and fly with a hurried flapping motion of the wings, to the nearest clump 

 of hushes, and alighting in them, will instantly disappear; but unlike the common Bittern, 

 they can be readily started again. In the North, these pigmy Herons build early in June, 

 placing the nests in low bushes, the roots of which are usually submerged, only a foot or 

 two above the water; but in Florida, where these birds are particularly abundant, they 

 breed through the entire month of April, and I have obtained nearly full grown young and 

 eggs, as late as the first week in May. Here the nests were placed in reeds and grass, 

 often quite near the ground, but at times near the tops, and although it is not rare to find 

 a single pair breeding apart from others, several usually build together in the same locality, 

 in which case the birds appear to be on excellent terms, seldom, if ever, quarreling. When 

 their domiciles arc approached, especially if they contain young, the birds rise with a shrill 

 cry, ily a short distance, and settling on the reed-tops, watch the intruder with out-stretched 

 necks. The young leave the nest when only about one third grown, and wander about the 

 grass and reeds, clinging to the stalks so tenaciously that it is quite difficult to remove 

 them. 



The Least Bitterns, unlike their larger relative which is very untamable and fierce, 

 even when young, are quite gentle and readily become tame. Some young that I took from 

 the reeds, on the borders of Lake Hartley, proved to be most interesting pets, especially 

 one that I succeeded in bringing North. This bird would follow me about everywhere, 

 and whenever he saw me, would utter a lively chatter. He was very agile and could climb 

 \\itli great ease. I was obliged to keep him in confinement, as he showed a decided pro- 

 pensity to wander, but as he had a large room in which to roam about, he appeared per- 

 fectly contented, and fed readily upon small fishes which he, caught for himself out of a 

 basin. lie would bathe regularly every day and, when wet through, would climb to the 

 top of a large branch which was placed in a corner of his abode, in order to dry himself. 

 Small and gentle as he was, he exhibited the same propensity to destroy birds which were 

 not as strong as himself, as is shown in all the Herons. Having captured a Hummingbird , 

 I placed it in the room with the Least Bittern, where it lived for some days. As it ate 

 well, was quite tame, and appeared in excellent health, I was quite confident that I could 

 keep it for some time; but the Bittern settled the matter effectually. The Hummingbird 

 was accustomed to alight on the top of the branch on which the Bittern perched, and when- 

 ever the latter saw it in this position, he would creep cautiously toward it, and endeavor 

 to strike it, but the Hummingbird, when I was present, would avoid the stroke by flying. 

 Bat one day, after a short absence from the room, I went in to feed the Hummingbird but 

 could not find it, and looking in the Bittern's bathing dish, saw that the surf.ice of the wa- 

 ter was covered with feathers. This was all that remained, however, to tell the story of 

 the tragedy which had occurred; yet the cause of the disappearance of my little pet, was 

 too apparent, for the Bittern was accustomed to dip any food given him, in water, belon; 



