LEAST BITTERN. 
lOI 
from the crop is forced through the throat, producing a deep hol- 
low sound in three distinct syllables. 'I'he quality of the notes 
suggests their being emitted under water; and this has given rise to 
the theory, so strongly urged by many writers, that the performer 
held its bill under water. The emission of the sound is accom- 
panied by convulsive movements, as if the bird was vomiting. 
The Bittern’s fondness for retirement has been exaggerated , for 
though it does dwell in the wilderness, — on the marshy margins 
of streams and lakes, and in the depths of swamps, — I have 
frequently found the nest close to a bustling village; one within 
sound of children’s voices playing around a school-house. 
LEAST BITTERN. 
Botaurus exilis. 
Char. Adult male ; crown, back, and tail black, glossed with green; 
narrow stripe of buff on each side of back ; back of neck chestnut ; wings 
buff and rufous ; under parts pale buff. Female ; similar to male, but 
plack of head and back mostly replaced by brown. Length about 13 
mches. 
Nest. Usually amid the rank grass and rushes on the marshy margin 
u pond ; placed on the ground and made of coarse grass or dead 
rushes, 
^SS^- 3-5 ; dull white with a pale tinge of blue or green ; 1.20 X 0.95. 
The Least Bittern has not so extended a distribution as its larger 
congener, but it is found regularly as far north as Massachusetts, 
j". ®f'’ugglers have been captured in Maine and New Brunswick. 
>s common in the southern peninsula of Ontario, and in Illinois 
^”_.'^'®bonsin, and breeds south to Texas and Florida. 
hough a shy bird, courting retirement and rarely appearing 
side the shelter of its reedy haunts, it seems to be indifferent to 
' J^bent noises. For years some pairs have spent the summer in a 
wUl ■ ^ close to the busiest district of the town of Brookline, 
and^F ^ stone’s throw of a street-car track and a playground; 
besort'^^**^ ^bbd marsh, near Cambridge, has long been a favorite 
youn ^ Bittern consists chiefly of small fish, lizards, and 
a m”'^ i but it will not refuse a chance to vary this diet with 
rnon°”*if ®|irew. It utters several notes ; but that most com- 
a co^' a hoarse croak, though during the nesting-season 
b’bg note is heard that is low and soft and sweet. When 
