37 
LEAST BITTERN. 
JlRDEJl EXILIS, 
[Plate LXV— Fig, 4, Male.] 
Minute Bittern, Lath. Syn. Ill, p. 66, No. 28.— Ind. Orn. p. 683. No, 29.— Gmel. Sijst. I, 
p. 645, No. 88.— Museum, No. 3814; Femule, 3815. 
THIS is the smallest known species of the whole tribe. It 
is commonly found in fresh water meadows, and rarely visits the 
salt marshes. One shot near Great Egg-Harbor was presented 
to me as a very uncommon bird. In the meadows of Schuylkill 
and Delaware, below Philadelphia, a few of these birds breed 
every year ; making their nests in the thick tussocks of grass, in 
swampy places. When alarmed they seldom fly far, but take 
shelter among the reeds or long grass. They are scarcely ever 
seen exposed, but skulk during the day ; and, like the preceding 
species, feed chiefly in the night. 
This little creature measures twelve inches in lengtli, and 
sixteen in extent ; the bill is more than two inches and a quarter 
long) yellow, ridged with black, and very sharp pointed \ space 
round the eye pale yellow ; irides bright yellow ; whole upper part 
of the crested head, the back, scapulars and tail, very deep slate, 
reflecting slight tints of green ; throat white, here and there tinged 
Avith buff; hind part of the neck dark chestnut bay, sides of the 
neck, cheeks, and line over the eye, brown buff ; lesser wing-co- 
verts the same; greater wing-coverts chestnut, with a spot of the 
same at the bend of the wing, the primary coverts are also tipt 
with the same ; wing quills dark slate; breast white, tinged with 
ochre, under which lie a number of blackish feathers ; belly and 
vent Avhite ; sides pale ochre ; legs greenish on the shins, hind 
part and feet yelloAV ; thighs feathered to within a quarter of an 
K 
VOL. VIII. 
