Wayne: Bikds of South Carolina. 27 



FAMILY ARDEID.E: HERONS, BITTERNS, ETC. 



65. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). Bittekn. 



The Bittern, which is locally known as "Indian Pullet," and 

 "Grass Hen," is abundant during the winter months. It is 

 essentially a freshwater species, but is occasionally seen in the 

 salt marshes. The birds vary greatly in size, some specimens 

 being very large while others are unusually small. The food is 

 chiefly frogs in summer, while fish and mice appear to be the 

 diet during the winter months. 



Dr. Bachman's experience relative to the breeding of this 

 species in South Carolina is interesting, and I herewith quote 

 his observations from Audubon's Birds of America: 1 



Dr. Bachman procured, on the 29th of April, 1833, about forty miles from 

 Charleston, individuals, in the ovaries of which he found eggs so large as to in- 

 duce him to believe that they would have been laid in the course of a single week. 

 Some others which were procured by him and myself within nine miles of Charles- 

 ton, on the 29th of March, had the eggs extremely small. 



I have never found the nest and eggs of this species, but it 

 unquestionably breeds in the rice-field reservoirs near Yemassee, 

 where in June, 1887, I saw young birds. In 1890, I spent eight 

 months at Yemassee, and although I observed many Bitterns 

 from March until October, I was unable to find a nest with eggs. 



The nest, which is composed of grasses, is placed upon the 

 ground in freshwater marshes, and the eggs, which vary from 

 three to five, are brownish drab and measure 1.95X1.50. 



66. Ixobrychus exilis (Gmel.). Least Bittern. 



The Least Bittern arrives early in April and remains until the 

 last of October, breeding abundantly in both fresh and salt water. 

 The nest is composed of reeds, grasses, and small sticks, and is 

 placed in marshes and bushes. In 1879, I found on Sullivan's 

 Island a nest which was placed in the top of a small tree about 

 twenty feet from the ground. This location is exceptional, how- 

 ever, as the nest is generally built within a few feet, or even a few 

 inches of the water. The eggs are pale bluish white and are 

 usually four in number and measure 1.20X-90. Two broods are 

 raised, as I have seen the young in August. A set of four fresh 



» VI, 96. 



