84 



Nesting. On the ground, in grass, hayfields, or reed-grown marshes, nest of grass or 

 reeds. 



Distribution. Common throughout the settled portions of Canada, breeding wher- 

 ever found. 



References to the lonely booming of the Bittern are frequent in 

 English literature. We can hardly say that our American Bittern "booms," 

 but its note is most peculiar and is unique amongst American bird notes. 

 The common names, "Thunder-pump" and "Stake-driver," are applied 

 in reference to the strange noises it makes. Near a marsh one may hear 

 a sound as of some one driving a stake with a wooden maul into soft mud. 

 There is the dull thud of the blow with a sucking liquid echo followed 

 closely by a squdgy drive. At other times sounds are heard like some 

 one frantically working a dry suction-pump that draws the water part 

 way and refuses to lift it farther. These are variants of the Bittern's 

 love song and contain no recognizable vocal qualities. 



Economic Status. The Bittern is a bog haunter and eats frogs, craw- 

 fish, snakes, small fish, crustaceans, insects, and probably even young 

 birds and mice. It eats little or no vegetable matter. Bitterns are 

 quite harmless as a class and may be useful. 



Genus — Ixobrychus. Least Bittern. 



191. Least Bittern. pr. — le petit butor. Ixobrychus exilis. L, 13. Smallest 

 heron-like wader found in Canada. Coloured in broad masses of creams, ochres, and 

 Indian reds, with black or brown back and cap, depending on sex. 



Distinctions. Owing to its small size and striking coloration, can be mistaken for 

 no other bird in Canada except perhaps its very close and rare relative, Cory's Least 

 Bittern /. neoxenus. This latter bird has the creams and ochres replaced by seal or reddish 

 brown and it is still undecided whether or not it is only a colour phase of the common form. 



Field Marks. Small size and striking colours make the species unmistakable. Seldom 

 seen except at close range when colour and size are evident. 



Nesting. Generally over water, in nest on platform of dead rushes in a marsh or 

 reed-patch. 



Distribution. A common but rather local bird in the more southern parts of Ontario 

 and Quebec. Breeds wherever found in Canada. 



The Least Bittern frequents wet, cat-tail marshes, usually of rather 

 extensive area, and is rarely observed except by those who invade their quiet 

 precincts. The American Bittern is often seen winging its way from 

 marsh to marsh, but the Least Bittern rarely ventures beyond its home 

 swamp. It is a silent bird and has little or no vocal attainments. 



Subfamily — Ardeinae. True Herons and Egrets. 



General Description. More slender and graceful birds than the Bitterns and, on an 

 average, larger. Smallest are very little smaller than the American Bittern and none are 

 as small as the Least Bittern. Colour makes the easiest differentiation. 



Distinctions. Herons are usually coloured slate-blue or dull greens, but are some- 

 times white. Bitterns on the other hand have a pronounced yellow colour. Many Herons 

 have long fine plumes on the crown, lower throat, or back, and all Canadian species when 

 in full breeding plumages show the plumes to greater or less extent at one or more of these 

 points; but they are usually absent in the autumn. 



Field Marks. The characteristic outline in flight, with sharp, pointed bill, head 

 drawn in to the shoulders, and legs trailing behind, is common to both the Bitterns and 

 Herons which are better recognized by species than as a subfamily. However, any such 

 bird that is obviously not a Bittern is probably a Heron. 



