June 6, 2022
A Look at the Bittern
A rare gem found within the Thomas Sadler Roberts bird species files under the Bell Museum of Natural History records were original hand drawn illustrations of the bird, Bittern, by Walter Breckenridge, director of the Bell Museum from 1946 to 1969.
- Drawing of a youth American Bittern, 1927. Depiction of a youth American Bittern, hand drawn by Walter J. Breckenridge. This drawing can be found in the Bell Museum of Natural HIstory record.
The Bittern is a part of the Ardeidae family, are typically smaller than the Heron, and tend to have a shorter neck.
- Drawing of the Least Bittern, August 8, 1928. Depiction of an adult Least Bittern, hand drawn by Walter J. Breckenridge. This drawing can be found in the Bell Museum of Natural HIstory record.
- Drawing of a youth Least Bitter, July 1921. Depiction of a youth Least Bittern, hand drawn by Walter J. Breckenridge. This drawing can be found in the Bell Museum of Natural HIstory record.
These illustrations were drawn between 1921 to 1928 and include both young and adult interpretations of the American Bittern and the Least Bittern.
- American Bittern, one young, June 2, 1927. Image photographed by Walter J. Breckenridge. It can be found in the Bell Museum of Natural History records. Forms part of the Exploring Minnesota's Natural History digitization project.
These illustrations also correlate to the photographic negatives Breckenridge took of this bird species while beginning his education and career at the University of Minnesota.
These images were digitized as a part of the Exploring Minnesota's Natural History digitization project in 2013 to 2014.
- Least Bittern, three juveniles, 1920-1929. Image photographed by Walter J. Breckenridge. It can be found in the Bell Museum of Natural History records. Forms part of the Exploring Minnesota's Natural History digitization project.