52 THE WEST VIRGINIA 
26. BITTERN. 
Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). 
Summer resident; common. Breeds in suitable localities 
throughout the State. 
27. LEAST BITTERN. 
Botaurus exilis (Gmel.). 
Summer resident; probably of rare occurrence. I saw but 
one, which flew up from a reedy swamp along the banks of 
Great Kanawha River. Dr. Mathers informs me that he has 
taken it on Buckhannon River in summer. 
28. GREAT BLUE HERON. 
Ardea herodias Linn. 
Summer resident; common. I found it more plentiful on the 
Ohio, Monongahela, Great Kanawha, and Cheat Rivers than 
elsewhere. It breeds in pairs in Buckhannon, Middle Fork, 
and Greenbrier Rivers, where it is known by the name of 
Crane. The Great Blue Heron feeds principally on frogs, fish, 
and mice. 
29. AMERICAN EGRET. 
Ardea egretta Gmel. 
Accidental visitant from the South. Only two instances of 
its occurrence in the State have come to my knowledge. Dr. 
Mathers informed me that a single specimen was taken.near 
Buckhannon several years ago, and Mr. Brown, of Parkers- 
burg, procured one in the summer of 1886, on Little Kanawha 
River. Itis commonly known by the name of White Crane. 
30. LITTLE BLUE HERON. 
Ardea ccerulea Linn. 
Summer resident; rare. I observed a single individual of 
this species on Blennerhassett Island October 3. I also saw a 
mounted specimen in Charleston, which had been shot in July 
on Great Kanawha River. 
