IXOBRYCHUS.
Bill much pointed, serrated near tip and nearly straight; tail lo feathers; no ornamental plumes.
Ixobrychus minutus sninutus (L.). LITTLE BITTERN. Fr. Heron blongios ; Ger. Zwergrohrdommel ; Md. Tarabusino.
6 Creamy buff ; crown, nape, back, quills, and tail black ; wing coverts white more or less washed buff. Bill yellow, ridge above dark brown. Facial skin greenish. Legs and feet green. Iris orange yellow. Wing j ? 140-152. Tarsus 45-47. Bill 45-52.
y more ochreous ; crown black, back brown or chestnut with faint buff streaks, wing coverts ochreous. In young, crown is chestnut.
Brecars.—Nearly all Europe south of Baltic ; Russia north to about 6e, east to Volga and Ural ; Caucasus, and N. Africa ; also C. and S.W. Asia. Migrates ; occurs in winter in Africa and India and on passage in Switzerland, Sardinia, Dalmatia, and Greece ; rare in Scandinavia and British Isles.