LEAST BITTERNS (Ixobrychus exilis). 
Length: 1 foot. Range: North America. 
Stretching out their necks, with heads 
bent low, these birds make their way easily 
through the tangle of vegetation about their 
swamp home. Sensing danger, they point 
their beaks skyward and remain motion¬ 
less, thus resembling pointed stumps. 
SCARLET IBISES (Eudocimus ruber). Length: 2 
feet. Range: Tropical America. 
The scarlet ibis is one of the most vividly 
colored birds. Its brilliant vermilion plumage is 
visible for long distances. Ibises differ from herons 
in having downwardly curved bills. 
