98 
WADING BIRDS. 
ing with considerable expedition. It is also the least shy of 
all our species, as well as the most numerous and widely dis- 
persed, being seen far inland, even on the banks of the Mis- 
souri, nearly to the River Platte, and frequent near all the 
maritime marshes, and near ponds and streams in general. It is 
also particularly attracted by artificial ponds for fish, not refrain- 
ing even to visit gardens and domestic premises which any 
prospect of fare may offer. It is at the same time perhaps as 
much in quest of the natural enemy of the fish, the frog, as of 
the legitimate tenants of the pond. These bold and intrusive 
visits are commonly made early in the morning or towards 
twilight, and it not unfrequently, when pressed by hunger, or 
after ill-success, turns out to hunt its fare by day, as well as 
dusk; and at such times collects various larvte, particularly 
those of the dragon-fly, with grasshoppers and different kinds 
of insects. At other times it preys upon small fish, crabs, and 
frogs, for which it often lies patiently in wait till they reappear 
from their hiding-places in the water or mud, and on being 
transfixed and caught, — an operation which is effected with 
great dexterity, — they are commonly beaten to death, if large, 
and afterwards swallowed at leisure. 
The Small Bittern in the Middle States usually begins to 
build about the isth of April, sometimes in solitary pairs, in 
dark and swampy woods, at other times in companies, and as 
already remarked, by similarity of taste and habit frequently 
joins the heronries of the larger species as its sort of humble 
dependant and watchful defender of the general eyry. The 
young, as usual, slowly acquire the full use of their limbs, and 
remain patiently in the nest until able to fly. 
The Green Heron is a common summer resident of New Eng- 
land, and though usually rather rare as far north as the Maritime 
Provinces, is sometimes quite common there. It is common also 
in Ontario and abundant in Ohio, and occurs westward to the 
Mississippi. In winter the major portion of these birds retire to 
the West Indies and northern South America, though a few remain 
in the Gulf States. 
