ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
601 
which is reached by a thoroughfare of alarming capabilities. I removed from 
the stomach of one of these birds a bullhead eight and one-half inches in length. 
The fish had been swallowed entire, and with those ridged side spines set at 
right angles to its body. Another bird had eaten two sunfish and five dragon¬ 
fly larvae. 
Food: Fish, mice, dragon-flies and seeds of spatter-dock. It has been known 
to eat fifty moderate sized dace and roach in one day. In a carp pond one has 
been known to eat one thousand stone carp in one year (Wilson). Crabs, eels, 
shellfish and various fishes (De Kay). Snakes, frogs, mice, fishes and insects 
(Samuels). Fish of all kinds, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, shrews, meadow 
mice, young rats, aquatic insects, moths and dragon-flies. It destroys great 
numbers of Marsh Hens, Rails and other birds (Audubon). 
239. Herodias egretta (Gm.), Gr. GREAT EGRET. Group II. Class c. 
This beautiful bird is a not uncommon summer resident, but much more retir¬ 
ing and shy than the last species. 
Food: Frogs, lizards, small fish, mice, moles and insects (Wilson). Frogs, 
salamanders, mice, moles, snakes, etc. (De Kay). 
230. Butorides virescens (Linn.), Cab. GREEN HERON. Group II. Class c. 
This is a common summer resident which frequents the banks of wooded 
streams more than any other situation. 
The large number of dragon-fly larvae observed in the stomachs of some of 
these birds is an unpleasant record to make. 
Food: Of five specimens examined, two had eaten ten water scorpions; two, 
five beetles; one, two dragon-flies; two, fifteen dragon-fly larvae; and two, four 
small fish. 
Lizards, frogs, small fish, crabs, various worms and larvae, particularly those 
of dragon-flies (Wilson). Reptiles and fishes (De Kay). 
231. Nyctiardea grisea n^via (Bodd.), Allen. AMERICAN NIGHT 
HERON. Group II. Class c. 
This species occurs in the state and is said to breed across the line in Lake 
county, Illinois. I have not met it alive. Mr. Thure Kumlien writes me that 
he received two specimens of this species from Stoughton, September 27, 1876. 
Food: Small fish (Wilson). Fish, aquatic reptiles, grasshoppers, large insects 
and sea lettuce (De Kay). Herrings, pickerel, eels (Samuels). Fish, shrimps, 
tadpoles, frogs, water lizards, leeches, all kinds of water insects, moths, and even 
mice (Audubon). 
233. Botaurus mugitans (Bartr.), Coues. AMERICAN BITTERN. Group 
II. Class c. 
The American Bittern, or Stake-driver, as it is often called, is the most abundant 
of all our Herons and the least retiring. It is found in all meadows during the 
summer where there are small sloughs. 
Food: Of four specimens examined, two had eaten eight small fish; one, a 
crawfish; one, a water-scorpion; one, a large water beetle; one, thirteen 
dragon-flies; one, a spider and its egg case; one, a meadow mouse; and four, six 
crawfish. 
