92 WATER BIRDS 



Neat : A platform of marsh grass or rushes ; placed on a floating bog or 



slough. 

 Eggs: 3 to 5 ; light olive. Size 1.23 X 0.93. 



The Least Bittern, or Little Green Heron, as it is 

 sometimes called, is a smaller and much shyer bird than 

 the American bittern. It is found nesting in small 

 colonies in the edge of swamps ; its nest is a mere 

 crushed-down platform of rushes, and itself so exact an 

 imitation of its surroundings as to be practically invisible 

 to the naked eye. On the approach of danger it becomes 

 rigid, with head and bill extended straight up, in mim- 

 icry of a reed, thus rendering its discovery much more 

 difficult. If discovered and flushed from the water-side, 

 it straddles off through the weeds by grasping them on 

 either side with its feet, producing a comical effect of 

 walking on stilts. It looks back often to see whether 

 it is being pursued. If approached from the land side, 

 it takes wing with loud squawks of terror, and flies low 

 but swiftly through the open channels of the marsh to a 

 tree if there be one near. It is frequently found roosting 

 in trees in the early morning or evening, in groups of 

 six or more, after the breeding season is over. During 

 the breeding season its call is a soft dove-like note, 

 repeated over and over in a sort of undertone, as if it 

 were intended for the ear of its mate alone. 



