LEAST BITTERN. lOI 



from the crop is forced through the throat, producing a deep hol- 

 low sound in three distinct syllables. The quality of the notes 

 suggests their being emitted under water; and this has given rise to 

 the theory, so strongly urged by many writers, that the performer 

 held its bill under water. The emission of the sound is accom- 

 panied by convulsive movements, as if the bird was vomiting. 



The Bittern's fondness for retirement has been exaggerated ; for 

 tliough it does dwell in the wilderness, — on the marshy margins 

 of streams and lakes, and in the depths of swamps, — I have 

 frequently found the nest close to a bustling village; one within 

 sound of children's voices playing around a school-house. 



LEAST BITTERN. 

 Ardetta exilis. 



Char. Adult male; crown, back, and tail black, glossed with green; 

 narrow stripe of buff on each side of back ; back of neck chestnut ; wings 

 buft and rufous ; under parts pale bufif. Female : similar to male, but 

 black of head and back mostly replaced by brown. Length about 13 

 inches. 



Nest. Usually amid the rank grass and rushes on the marshy margin 

 of a pond ; placed on the ground and made of coarse grass or dead 

 rushes. 



Eggs. 3-5 ; dull white with a pale tinge of blue or green ; 1.20 X 0.95. 



The Least Bittern has not so extended a distribution as its larger 

 congener, but it is found regularly as far north as Massachusetts, 

 and stragglers have been captured in Maine and New Brunswick. 

 It is common in southern Ontario, and occurs in Illinois and north 

 to Manitoba, and breeds south to the Gulf States. 



Though a shy bird, courting retirement and rarely appearing 

 outside the shelter of its reedy haunts, it seems to be indifferent to 

 adjacent noises. For years some pairs have spent the summer in a 

 marshy tract close to the busiest district of the town of Brookline, 

 within a stone's throw of a street-car track and a playground ; 

 and Fresh Pond marsh, near Cambridge, has long been a favorite 

 resort. 



The food of this Bittern consists chiefly of small fish, lizards, and 

 young frogs ; but it will not refuse a chance to vary this diet with 

 a mouse or shrew. It utters several notes ; but that most com- 

 monly heard is a hoarse croak, though during the nesting-season 

 a cooing note is heard that is low and soft and sweet. When 



