BITTERNS 



(191) Ixobrychus exilis 



(Gmel.) (Lat., small). 



LEAST BITTERN. Ad a" — 

 As shown by the upper, right-hand 

 bird. Ad. 9 — As shown by the 

 left-hand bird; duller colored and 

 with the black largely replaced by 

 brown. Bill, legs, and iris yellowish. 

 L., 13.00; W., 4.60; Tar., 1.60; 

 B., 1.80. Eggs — Three to five, 

 pale blue, 1.20X.90. Nest a plat- 

 form of rushes attached to living 

 stalks. 



Range — Breeds from N. S., Man. 

 and Ore. southward. Winters from 

 Fla. and the Gulf States southward. 

 (191.1) Ixobrychus neoxenus 



(Cory) (Gr., new guest, a stranger). 



CORY'S LEAST BITTERN. 

 Plumage as shown. Known to breed 

 in Ont. and Fla. Casual in Mass., 

 ]Mich. and Wis. 



come upon tliis nest when the eggs are nearly ready to hatch, 

 the owner will sometimes remain and, with outspread wings, 

 blazing eyes and head drawn back, defy the intruder. At 

 such times it is well to be careful aljout getting within range 

 of a blow from that sharp beak. Those who frequent marsh 

 or pond in the spring may occasionally have the opportunity 

 of witnessing that most interesting perforinance, the "pump- 

 ing" of the Bittern. This is in reality the love song of male 

 Bitterns. The hollow, deep-toned syllables "punk-err- 

 lunk" are ejected from the throat in chunks, accompanied 

 by violent contortions of the bird's neck. 



LEAST BITTERNS, the smallest of the family, Hve in 

 marshes in company with rails, marsh \\Tens and black- 

 birds. They are gregarious and often several of their 

 rush-platform nests may be found attached to reeds in small 

 marshes even close to habitations, but they are so secretive 

 in their habits that their presence is known only to those 

 who seek them. They have a soft cooing song, and a harsh 



119 



