BITTERiN 



-^DD 



almost cosmopolitan distribution), the bittern may be distinguished from 

 the little bittern and its relatives, not only by its superior size, but by 

 the greater proportionate length of the middle toe, with its claw, which 

 exceeds that of the shank of the leg ; the latter segment being also 

 much longer than the beak, which is comparatively short ; and also 

 by the two sexes being similar in plumage, which is characterised by 

 its length and looseness. 



To describe such an easily recognised bird as the bittern may 

 seem almost unnecessary, 

 although such a course is 

 advisable not only for the 

 sake of uniformity, but in 

 order to aid in distinguish- 

 ing the species from its 

 American relative, which is 

 an occasional straggler to 

 this country. In length the 

 bird varies from 26 to 28 

 inches, and in weight usually 

 from 2^ to 2f lbs., while it 

 has a wing-spread of only 

 2 inches less than 4 feet. 

 The general colour of the 

 loose plumage may be best 

 described as bright buff 

 barred above and streaked 

 below with black ; the crown 

 of the head being wholly 

 black. The long feathers of 

 the back of the neck, which 

 can be erected to form a 



kind of fan-like crest, are marked down the middle with black 

 and on the sides with reddish-brown stripes crossed by dark brown 

 bars ; while the beak is greenish yellow passing into dark horn-colour 

 at the tip of its upper half, the bare skin in front of the eye and the 

 legs are grass-green, and the eye is yellow. Young birds differ by the 

 absence of the black and chestnut barrings characteristic of the wing- 

 coverts and quills of the adults ; and the nestling is clothed with scanty 

 hair-like down of a rust-colour above and dull white beneath. 



As already mentioned, the colouring of the bittern is perfectly 

 adapted for concealment amid the bulrush and reed brakes which form its 



RD STUDIOS 



