102 
WADING BIRDS. 
startled it gives a cry resembling the qua of the Night Heron, 
and displays a Rail-like disposition to hide amid the grass rather 
than fly from danger. Some observers think its flight is feeble 
and cannot be sustained, while others affirm that the bird is 
capable of prolonged flight. 
CORY’S LEAST BIITERN. 
Botaurus neoxena. 
Char. Similar to B. exilis, but smaller, and lacking the stripes of buff 
on the sides of the back ; lower tail-coverts black ; wing-coverts chestnut. 
Length about 1 1 inches. 
JVi’st and Bggs. Unknown. 
This species was described by Mr. Charles B. Cory in 1886 
from the type which was taken in Florida by Mr. R. T. Stuart. A 
second specimen, taken in Florida during July, 1889, was reported 
by Mr. W. E. D. Scott. 
The habits of the bird are supposed to be similar to those of 
exilis. Mr. Scott’s example was discovered while walking on the 
leaves of pond-lilies, and when startled it retreated to the tall grass 
on the margin of the pond. 
LIMPKIN. 
COURLAN. 
Aramus GIGANTEUS. 
Char Prevailing color dark brown glo.ssed with purple ; head, neck, 
and back striped with white ; throat white. General appearance rather 
Heron-like. Length about 26 inches. 
Nest. Amid rushes or upon a low bush, on the margin of a pond or 
stream ; made of vine-leaves and grass. 
Eggs. 4-8; buffy white or grayish white spotted with brown and gray ; 
variable in size, average about 2.40 X 1-70. 
'Phis singular bird principally inhabits Cayenne, Brazil, and 
Paraguay, where it is rather common ; it is numerous in the 
