18 



BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



FOOD. 



According to Dr. Ooues, " the food of this bird consists of various 

 kinds of small aquatic animals. In its stomach may be found different 

 molluscs, craw-fish, frogs, lizards, small snakes and fishes, as well as 

 insects. Such prey is captured with great address, by spearing, as the 

 bird walks or wades stealthily along. The thrust of the bill is mar- 

 vellously quick and skillful more action is displayed on such occa- 

 sions than probably under any other circumstance." Birds of the 

 Northwest. 



Although Bitterns frequently devour fish, I believe they prefer 

 other kinds of animal food, especially snakes, frogs and insects. 



191. Botaurus exilis (GMEL.). 



Least Bittern. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Head above and the back dark glossy-green ; upper part of neck, shoulders, 

 greater coverts, and outer webs of some tertials, purplish-cinnamon ; a brownish- 

 yellow scapular stripe (broadest in female). 



Female and young with the green of head and back replaced by purplish-chestnut. 

 Iris yellow. 



Length, 13 inches; extent, about 17 ; wing, 4.75; tarsus, 1.60; bill above, 1.75. 



Hab. Temperate North America, from British Provinces to the West Indies and 

 Brazil. 



The Least Bittern, the smallest of all the herons, I have found in 

 this region only as a rare visitant during the spring and fall migra- 

 tions. These birds, it is stated, sometimes breed in Pennsylvania. 

 When alarmed, they fly generally but a few yards, and take shelter 

 among the reeds or long grass. Least Bitterns are scarcely ever seen 

 exposed, but skulk during the day, and, like the preceding species, 

 feed chiefly in the night. Wilson says : " In the meadows of Schuyl- 

 kill and Delaware, below Philadelphia, a few of these birds breed 

 every year, making their nests in the thick tussocks of grass in swampy 

 places." According to Audubon, the nest " is sometimes placed on 

 the ground, amid the rankest grasses, but more frequently it is at- 



