GRALLAC-GRUID.E-ARDEA. 
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THE SMALL BITTERN. 
Akdea exilis. 
PLATE LXXXI1I. FIG. 190. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Ardea exilis, Gmelin. Little IJeron , Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 453 (cxc. syn.) Wilson, Am. Om. Vol. 8, 
p. 37, pi. G5, fig. 4. 
A. (Ardeola) id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 308. 
Ardeola id. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 43. Aodubon, B. of A. Vol. G, p. 100, pi. 366. Giraud, 
Birds of Long island, p. 287. 
Characteristics. Subcrested. Chesnut ; beneath whitish. Neck, above and sides rufous. 
Crown, quills and tail black. Length, 11 • 0. 
Description. Bill compressed, pointed, very slightly arched towards the tip, 2*5 long. 
Body much compressed. Naked space on the tibia, very small. Tarsus with broad oblique 
scutellae, robust, shorter than the middle toe and its claw. Edges of the mandibles minutely 
serrate ; the serratures directed backwards : tip of the upper mandible slightly notched. 
Feathers of the neck and breast long, and loosely webbed. 
Color. Female : Bill dusky black above, yellow on the sides and beneath. Feet yellowish 
green. Lores yellowish. Crown reddish brown, tinged with greenish, and bounded on each 
side with rufous : back of the neck light rufous. Back deep reddish brown. Tail purplish 
black ; primaries tipped with rufous. Throat white, with a central brown line. Neck and 
beneath white, shaded with cream and dark brown narrow streaks along the shafts. Male : 
Upper part of the head, with the back, glossy dark green ; sides of the head and hind part of 
the neck brownish red. Throat, neck and beneath reddish white. Breast black, tipped with 
rufous. 
Length, lO'O —12’0. 
This small Bittern is a southern species, appearing in New-York about the beginning of 
May, and is found throughout the State, where it breeds. Eggs yellowish green, unspotted. 
It prefers marshes and the borders of streams. It extends its migrations from Mexico to the 
45th parallel, and is a permanent resident in Florida. 
[Fauna — Part 2.] 
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