REMARKS ON THE BITTERNS. 77 



plumage which is lost at an early age in the genera allied to them. This may- 

 be exemplified by comparing the adult American Bittern with an immature 

 Dwarf-bittern (subgenus Ardeola) ; whereupon it will be seen that the rudi- 

 mental markings of the two species correspond feather by feather, which 

 markings are temporary only, and characteristic of immaturity in the one, and 

 permanent in the other. I have reason to believe that the male Dwarf-bitterns 

 usually acquire the perfectly adult dress at the first moulting, and the females 

 not till the second ; that the latter breed in their second or intermediate garb, I 

 can state positively, from dissection ; and I also know that the older females are 

 undistinguishable from the males. 



As a group, the true Bitterns have the legs and neck shorter than in the 

 Herons : the toes and claws long, the latter but slightly curved ; beak less robust, 

 and laterally very much compressed ; the ridge of the upper mandible having a 

 slightly curving outline. Neck densely clothed in front with long and lax 

 feathers ; and the body- plumage also erectible and long, with the webs connected. 

 The entire plumage is minutely mottled and blotched over with specks and 

 broken bars, of black and different shades of brown, assimilating in hue to their 

 locality. The sexes scarcely differ, and the young are chiefly distinguishable by 

 their comparative inferiority of brightness. They are very nocturnal birds (at 

 least it would seem so) when in their wild state, and inactive during the glare of 

 day ; are solitary in habit ; and while at rest, in their lonesome sedgy retreats, 

 assume a contracted posture, with one leg commonly drawn up, the neck quite 

 hidden, and line of the head even with that of the back. The same attitude is 

 maintained when walking, which is effected stealthily with long strides ; the neck 

 is always held in readiness to be darted forth on any live object of size not too 

 large for being swallowed; our native species will readily gorge a Rat, or a 

 Water Rail. They do not habitually subsist on fish, but on amphibious, and 

 small warm-blooded animals ; and appear rather to steal unobserved upon their 

 prey, than to wait for it, in the manner of the Herons. I have seen one gradually 

 let down its foot, and noiselessly advance upon its prey, with most patience- 

 tiring slowness; as indeed may be commonly observed of the whole group; 

 and a very beautiful provision of structure exists with intent to enable them 

 to move with such excessive slowness. They inhabit secluded wooded marshes, 

 where they nestle on the ground, being never seen to alight on trees ; and during 

 the breeding season emit discordant bellowing sounds, of astounding loudness ; 

 these boomings, as they are popularly termed, being mostly uttered at intervals 

 during the evening and morning twilight, and both on the ground and as they 

 spirally ascend to a vast height ; their feeding grounds, I suspect, being com- 

 monly at some distance from their diurnal abode, in desolate mountain morasses, 

 where scarcely another living creature is to be found. 



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