308 
Synopsis of the Birds 
Chiefly nocturnal. Live and build in marshy grounds, 
hiding closely amongst the reeds, and running a great way 
in them rather than take flight. Feed on small fishes, rep- 
tiles, spawn, but especially aquatic insects. 
236. Ardea exilis, Gm. Chesnut, beneath whitish ; neck 
above rufous ; sides and wing coverts, cream ; crown, 
primaries, tail, and tuft each side of the breast, black. Length 
less than twelve inches. 
Least Bittern, Ardea exilis, Wils. viii. p. 37. pi. 65 • fig* 4. 
Inhabits the United States and West Indies : rather rare, 
and found in summer only, in the northern and middle states. 
The smallest of the genus : closely related to A. minuta of 
Europe, from which it is hardly distinguished but by its 
inferior size. 
47. ARAMUS. 
Scolopax, L. JYumenius, Briss. Scolopax, Ardea, Gm. 
Ardea, Numenius, Lath. Rallus. Ill ? JVoh. Jour. Acad. Phil. 
Grus ! Cuv. Aramus, Vieill. Temm. Ranz. 
Bill much longer than the head, cleft beneath the eyes? 
compressed, straight, curved and somewhat turgid at tip, 
entire ; upper mandible slightly furrowed ; lower turgid 
towards the middle, angular beneath, acute : nostrils in wide 
orifices, rather distant from the base, lateral, longitudi- 
nal, linear, pervious : tongue short, narrow, acute. Head 
wholly feathered; lora naked. Feet elongated; naked 
space above the tarsus extensive ; toes entirely divided ; fore 
toes elongated, slender, smooth beneath ; hind toe articulated 
posteriorly with the tarsus, half the length of the inner, 
bearing on the ground with several joints : nails long, slen- 
der, compressed, curved, acute, middle one dilated and entire 
on the inner edge, the posterior longest and stoutest. Wings 
moderate ; first primary rather short, falciform ; third long- 
est. Tail short, rounded, of twelve feathers. 
