File:Report on the birds of Pennsylvania - with special reference to the food habits, based on over four thousand stomach examinations (1890) (20481404539).jpg

Title: Report on the birds of Pennsylvania : with special reference to the food habits, based on over four thousand stomach examinations
Identifier: commercialpoultr11 (find matches)
Year: 1890 (1890s)
Authors: Warren, Benjamin Harry, 1858-
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Harrisburg : E. K. Meyers, State Printer
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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Plate 13. I 56 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. According to Dr Coues, " the food of this bird consists of various kinds of small aquatic animals. In its stomach may be found diflerent molluscs, craw-fish, frogs, lizards, small snakes and fishes, as well as insects Such prey is captured with great address, by spearing, as the bird walks or wades stealthily along. The thrust of the bill is marvel- ously quick and skilful-more action is displayed on such occasions than probably under any other circumstance."-5tV(i.s- of the N^M. Although Bitterns frequently devour fish, I believe they prefer other kinds of animal food, especially snakes, frogs and insects. The food materials of nine of these birds, which I have examined, are e-iven in the following table: No. DATE. April 11. April 2;^. April 29. Hept. . April -. April . Oct. S April ' April 1880. 1880. 1861. '881. 1882. 18,H2. IHHH. 18S5. 1885. Locality. Chester county. Pa.. . . Chester county. Pa.. . . Delaware county. I'a.. . Chester county. Pa.. . . Chester county. Pa.. . . Chester county. Pa.. . . Philadelphia Market. Pa. Orange county. Kla.. . . Orange county. Fla., . . FOOn-MATERIAl.S. Beetles and scales of tlsh. Water-snake. Cray-tlah and frogs. Beetles and frogs. . ^ , , „ ,.1, Two snakes, each about eighteen Inches In length. Snake and snails. Grasshoppers niid beetles. Numerous insects. CrayUsh and remains of Hsbes. Botaurus exilis (Gmel.) LieaHt Bittern. Description. " Head above and the Jmck dark glossy-green : upper part of neck, shoulders, greater coverts, and outer webs of some tertials, purpli8h-<.innamon ; a brownish- vellow scapular stripe (broadest in female). Female with the green of head and back replaced by purplish-chestnut. Ins yellow. , .,, , , -r M Length, 13 inches; extent, about 17; wing, 4.75; tarsus, l.(,0; bill above, 1.75. - Bairds' B. 0/N. A. ^ . .1. ,,t . t i«c irahHat.-Temperate North America, from British Provinces to the West Indies and Brazil. The Least Bittern, the smallest of the herons, I have found in this state only as a rather rare visitant during the spring and fall migrations. This species is sometimes, though rarely, observed in Pennsylvania during tlie breeding season. When alarmed they fly generally but a few yards and tiike shelt(^r among the reeds or long grass. Least Bitterns are scarcely ever seen exposed, but skulk during the day, and, like the preceding species, feed chiefly in th(i night. Mr. Geo. B. Sennett, of Erie, has taken specimens in Crawford and Erie counties, where it is said the s))ecies breeds occasionally. Dr. John W. Detwiller, of Bethlehem, Pa., has found the Least and also the American Bitterns breeding here. From personal obsi^rvation I know nothing concerning the nest or eggs of this species. The following in- teresting remarks relating to nest and eggs of this bird are taken from Oliver Davie's valuable work (Nests and Eggs of North American J I I
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^5^. J Marsb Hawk. L Male; 2. Female, COLOR PLATE

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