Ardea Stellaris Minima: The Small Bittern. The Bill, from the Angle of the Mouth to the End, was a little more
than six Inches long, and black, except some Part of the under Mandible,
which was yellow. The Eyes yellow. A Crest of long green Feathers
covers the Crown of the Head. The Neck and Breast of a dark muddy
red. The Back cover'd with long narrow pale-green Feathers. The
large Quill-Feathers of the Wing of a very dark green, with a Tincture
of purple. All the Rest of the Wing-Feathers of a changeable shining
green, having some feathers edged with yellow. The Legs and Feet
brown. They have a long Neck, but usually sit with it contracted,
on Trees hanging over Rivers, in a lonely Manner waiting for their
Prey, which is Frogs, Crabs, and other small Fish.
I don't remember to have seen any of them in Winter: Wherefore
I believe, they retire from Virginia and Carolina
more South.
Fraxinus Carolinensis, foliis angustioribus utrinque acuminatis,
pendulis.
Commonly of a mean Size and Height. The Leaves are pointed at both
Ends. The Seeds are winged, and hang in Clusters. They grow in low
moist Places.
80

|
|