20D THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



material, such as the dead flowers and leaves of reeds, 

 fine grass, etc. The nests made in India do not appear 

 to be so elaborate. The bird is a close sitter, but usually 

 slips off the nest unseen and hides itself in the dense 

 cover, making no demonstration of anxiety for the 

 eggs. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Little Bittern are usually four or five in 

 number, but nine have been recorded ! They are oval 

 in shape, chalky in texture, minutely pitted, and pure 

 white. Average measurement, 1*4 inch in length, by 

 ro inch in breadth. Incubation, performed chiefly, if 

 net entirely, by the female, lasts, on the authority of 

 Naumann, sixteen or seventeen days. 



Diagnostic characters : The rough chalky and 

 pitted shell, small size, and white colour readily dis- 

 tinguish the eggs of the Little Bittern from those of all 

 species Hkely to be confused with them. 



Family ARDEID.^. Genus Botaurus. 



AMERICAN BITTERN. 



Botaurus lentiginosus (AIo?itagu). 



(British : Very rare abnormal spring and autumn migrant.) 



Single Brooded. Laying season. May and June. 



Breeding area: Nearctic region except the extreme 

 north. The American Bittern breeds throughout British 

 North America south of about lat. 58°, and over the 

 whole of the United States down to Texas. 



