BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE 11 



Bittern, Least (continued) 



Call no. 

 Nu BiL2 Adult Female Leaving Nest, Three Eggs in Sight. Mon- 

 tezuma marshes. (1904) Tabor 



Compare with male as to color. The least bittern is a slim 

 bird. This picture represents it in a disturbed condition as it is 

 rising from the eggs. Here the wing is dropped and the feathers 

 shaken out, thus making the bird appear larger and heavier than 

 it is. When examining certain other pictures, keep this habit 

 of birds in mind. 



Nu BiL24 Adult Female Defending Nest and Eggs. Renwick marsh, 

 near Ithaca. (June 3, 1914) Allen 



This bird knew no fear in the defense of her home and struck 

 at the hand of the photographer. 



Nu BiL3 Nest with Five Eggs. Montezuma marshes. (1904) Tabor 



Nu BiL4 Young Bird with Conspicuous Pin Feathers. Branchport. 

 (June 26, 1914) Burtch 



Note also the downy feathers on back and head. These young 

 birds will leave the nest and climb away through the flags with 

 surprising rapidity. The camera was close to the bird, which is 

 actually much smaller than it appears. For size, compare with 

 cat-tails upon which it stands. 



Nu BiL5 Female with Young, Neck Swollen with Food. Ithaca. 

 (July 1917) Allen 



The bittern regurgitates its food. 



Nu BiL7 Female on Nest in the Reeds Pointing, "Broken Reed 

 Posture"; Two Eggs in Sight. Near Ithaca. (June 3, 

 1914) Allen 



This is an excellent illustration of protective mimicry, the bird 

 by its position as well as by its color simulating a broken reed. 

 Note the position of the eyes. 



Nu BiL8 Female on Back of Nest Showing "Swaying Reed Pos- 

 ture"; Six Eggs in Nest. Near Ithaca. (June 3, 1914) 



Allen 



Here the feathers of the neck are shaken out until the streaks 

 form lines like the light and shadow between the reeds. When 



