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O R D. I. G E N. II. HERON. 



SPE. V. LITTLE BITTERN. 



PL 148. 



Ardea minuta. Lin. Syjl. I. p. 240. 

 Le Blongios. Brif. Orn. V. p. 497. 



This fmall and delicate fpecies is not larger than a fieldfare in the body, and 

 is fifteen inches in length. The bill is of a greenifh yellow : the top of the 

 head, back, and tail, black, glofTed with an obfcure green : the neck is long, 

 and the hind part bare of feathers, but covered by thofe growing on the fides 

 of it: the fides of the head, the neck, and wing coverts, are of a yellowifh buff" 

 colour : the quills black : the belly and vent white : at the fetting on of the 

 wings a fpot of chefnut : the breafl has a tinge of the fame colour, with a few 

 dark fpots : the thighs are feathered down to the knees : the legs greenifh. 



This fpecies is tolerably plentiful in the fouthern parts of Europe, and in 

 Afia, but lefs fo towards the north : in France it is not common, and with us 

 it is rare, five or fix times being the moft that it has been met with. We are 

 informed, that it places the neft on the ground, making it of ihort flicks with 

 a few leaves interfperfed, and lays four white eggs, the fize of thofe of a black- 

 bird. 



