HERONS AND ALLIED SPECIES. 405 



only, or entirely feathered ; tarsus with very broad anterior 

 scutella; toes long, with long slender claws. Feathers of 

 the sides and lower part of the neck much elongated; on 

 the former directed obliquely backwards, so as to cover the 

 downy part of the neck behind. Wings large, with the 

 third and second quills longest ; tail very short, of ten soft 

 feathers. 



1. Botauras stellaris. European Bittern. Length about 

 thirty inches ; one inch of the tibia bare. Plumage light 

 reddish-yellow, variegated with dusky; the upper part of 

 the head and the greater portion of the scapulars purplish- 

 black. 



2. Botaurus lentiginosus. The American Bittern. Length 

 about twenty-six inches ; one inch of the tibia bare. Plumage 

 variegated with yellowish-brown, dark brown, and reddish ; 

 a broad band of brownish-yellow from the cheek to the 

 nape, and beneath it an oblique band of black. 



3. Botaurus minutus. The Little Bittern. Length about 

 fourteen inches ; tibia entirely feathered. Upper part of the 

 head, back, scapulars, and tail glossy greenish-black ; lower 

 parts and smaller wing-coverts light reddish-yellow. 



4. Botaurus comatus. The Squacco Bittern. Length 

 about eighteen inches ; tibia entirely feathered. Upper part 

 of the head pale yellow, with dusky lines ; an occipital 

 plume of long, linear, acuminate white feathers, each with 

 two black lines. 



GENUS II. NYCTICORAX. NIGHT-HERON. 



Bill scarcely longer than the head, stout, nearly straight, 

 compressed, tapering to a point, and with the edges sharp. 

 Legs of moderate length ; tibia bare for about a fourth of its 

 length ; tarsus scutellate above, reticulate below ; toes rather 

 long, with moderate compressed claws ; wings broad, with 

 the second and third quills longest, the first a little shorter ; 

 tail short, even, of twelve broad feathers 



1. Nycticorax Ardeola. The Grey Night- Heron. Three 

 white, black-tipped, linear occipital feathers ; crown, nape, 

 fore part of back, and scapulars greenish-black. 



