6o 



AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



No. 190, American Bittern (Botatirus lentigi- 

 nosus.) 



Found throughout temperate North America. 

 South in winter to Cuba and Central America. 

 Length about two feet. Upper parts brownish var- 

 iegated with black barrings and lighter edges to the 

 feathers. Under parts and the feathers of the breast 

 which are lengthened, are buff colored and s'riped 

 with brownish. Throat pure white and a black 

 patch on either side of the neck. Bill and feet 

 greenish. Young birds have the same variegated 

 appearance but the markings are rather finer, the 

 lengthened feathers on the breast are shorter and the 

 black patches are very small or wholly lacking. 



No. 191, Least Bittern, {^Ardetta exilis .) 



Temperate North America to the British Provinces 

 and south to South America and the West Indies. 

 Crown, which is slightly crested, and back black; 

 back of neck, secondaries and lesser coverts chest- 

 nut; other coverts and sides of neck brownish yellow. 

 Bill and feet greenish yellow. Inhabits swamps in 

 common with several species of rails and is thus not 

 so often seen although they may be in a given lo- 



cality. Length, 12 in. 



No. 191. 1, Cory's Least Bittern, {Ardetta 

 neoxena.') 



Southern Florida. Accidental at Ontario and 

 IVlichigan. Very rare and few have ever been seen. 

 Length 13 in. Top of head, back, primaries and tail, 

 glossy black. Remainder of plumage nearly uniform 

 reddish brown. Feet, legs, bill and bare space about 

 the eyes, greenish yellow. 



