10 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 



Bittern, American (continued) 



Call no. 

 Nu BiA6 Two Young Birds of Same Brood but Different Size. Ren- 

 wick marsh, near Ithaca. (June 12, 1909) Allen 

 Incubation with this bird usually begins with the laying of 

 the first egg. Hence the eggs hatch unevenly and the young are 

 of different sizes. Extremes of one brood are shown here. Note 

 the coating of long down, which nearly covers the body. 



Nu BiA7 Roost in Thick Growth of Horsetail. Rcnwick marsh, near 

 Ithaca. (June 8, 1909) Allen 



Such a roost keeps the bird out of the water and above its 

 enemies while sleeping. What enemies? Probably a new roost 

 is made each night. The reeds in the foreground have been cut 

 away to show the roost. The feather indicates that the bird 

 probably preened its feathers before leaving the roost. 



Nu BiA8 Adult Rising in Flight from Nest in Sedges. Renwick 

 marsh, near Ithaca. (June 8, 1909) Harper 



The bird is working its wings very vigorously to get under 

 way. In the nest were several young birds and the adult 

 remained with them until the photographer had approached 

 rather close to it. The position of the legs and toes indicates the 

 effort put into the initial spring from the nest. Compare with 

 Nu BiA9. 



Nu BiA9 Adult in Flight. West marsh, near Ithaca. (June 2, 1909) 



Allen 



Note the large wings, the legs held out behind and the long 

 neck, which is not folded back onto the shoulders as much as 

 in other lierons. See Nu HeF6. The feet are held out some- 

 what behind to serve the purpose of a long tail. 



Bittern, Least (I.robrychus exilis) 



The least bittern is less widely distributed than the American. 

 It is seldom found in upland districts. It lives in swamps and 

 builds a nest of reeds a foot or more from the water in cat-tails 

 or rushes. It is the smallest of the heron family. Compare with 

 the American bittern, which is much larger. 11-14.25 



Nu BiL Male Incubating. Ithaca. (May 31, 1914) Allen 



Note the black back, proving that it is a male. The male and 

 female take turns incubating. 



