f the
best known of the Heron family. It is known locally by a great many
names, nearly all of which have reference to the "booming" or "pumping"
sound made during the mating season. They build their nests in swampy or
marshy places, placing them on the ground, frequently on a tussock,
entirely surrounded by water. The nest proper is only a few grasses
twisted about to form a lining to the hollow. They lay from three to
five eggs of brownish drab. Size 1.95 x 1.50.

They do not breed in colonies, generally, but one or two pairs nesting
in one marsh. Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 3, 1897. Four eggs laid in a
grass lined hollow in middle of a hummock of earth and grass, in middle
of marsh. Collector, James Jackson.

[Illustration 121: Jabiru. Bittern.]
[Illustration: Brownish drab.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 120

191. LEAST BITTERN. _Ixobrychus exilis._

Range.--Common throughout the United States, especially in the eastern
part, and in the southern British provinces.

This small variety of Bittern is very common in the southern portions of
the United States, but less so and locally distributed in the northern
portions of its range. They are very quiet and sly birds, and their
presence is often unsuspected when they are really quite abundant. When
approached, they will remain perfectly quiet, with the body erect and
the head and neck pointed skyward, in which position their yellowish
brown plumage strongly resembles the rushes among which they are found.
Their nests are made of strips of rushes woven about upright stalks,
generally over water. They lay from three to five eggs of a pale bluish
white color. Size 1.20 x .90. Data.--Avery's Island, La., May 1, 1896.
Four eggs. Nest of strips of rushes woven together to form a platform
and fastened to saw grass growing on the bank of a stream. Collector, E.
A. McIlhenny.

191.1. CORY'S LEAST BITTERN. _Ixobrychus neoxenus._

This rare species, of which about twenty specimens are known is probably
resident in Florida, wandering north in the summer, specimens having
been taken in Ontario, Canada, and in several localities in eastern
United States. It is very different from the Least Bittern, having a
more uniform chestnut coloration, especially on the under parts. It is
twelve inches in length. Mr. C. W. Crandall has a set of five eggs of
this species, taken on the Caloosahatchee River, Fla., April 15, 1891,
by S. B. Ladd. Nest w