546 



THE AMERICAN BITTERN. 



vegetation that is found in such localities. It is made of sticks and reeds, and generally con- 

 tains about four or five pale-brown eggs. The voice of the Bittern varies with the season of 

 year. Usually it is a sharp harsh cry uttered on rising, but in the breeding season the bird 

 utters a loud .booming cry that can be heard at a great distance. 



The general color of this fine bird is rich brownish buff, covered with irregular streaks and 

 mottlings of black, dark brown, gray, and chestnut. The top of the head is black with a gloss 

 of bronze ; the cheeks are buff, and the chin white tinged with buff. Down the front of the 

 neck the feathers are marked with bold longitudinal dashes of blackish and reddish-brown, 

 and the feathers of the breast are dark brown broadly edged with buff. The under surface of 

 the body is buff streaked with brown, the beak is greenish-yellow, and the feet and legs are 



BITTERN. Ardea stellaru. 



green. In total length the Bittern measures about thirty inches. Several species of herons 

 have been seen in Europe, nine being mentioned by Yarrell, including one species of Egret, 

 two Bitterns, and a Night Heron. 



THE AMERICAN BITTEKN (Botaurus lentiginosus) inhabits the entire temperate North 

 America, Cuba, and southward to Guatemala. It breeds chiefly in the middle districts north- 

 ward, wintering southward. It is regularly migratory ; and accidental in Europe. Dr. Coues 

 notices an extraordinary variation in size of this species. Individuals measured from 23 to 

 34 inches, and 32 to 43 in extent of wing. The Bittern is somewhat familiar, but its habits are 

 not well known. It is peculiar in not assembling in communities like the Herons, and its nest 

 is usually placed on the ground. Samuels says: "It breeds in communities, sometimes as 

 many as a dozen pairs nesting within the area of a few rods. The nests are placed on low 

 bushes, or tufts of grass." It seems evident that this bird's history has heretofore been little 

 known, as in several other respects recent accounts are diametrically opposite to those of 

 Audubon and other contemporary authors and observers. For example, the nesting-places are 

 said by Samuels to be continuously inhabited for many years, while Audubon states the 

 opposite. 



