210 ARDEID^. 



of Ceylon. It appears to be found in suitable localities 

 tbrougbout Africa, and Mr. E. L, Layard bad tbe eggs 

 brougbt to bim at Zoetendals Vley in Cape Colony, wbere 

 be found tbe bird in great abundance. 



Tbe Bittern is an early breeder, and eggs may be looked 

 for in Marcb and April. Extensive reed beds, sucb as still 

 remain, in spite of drainage, in Holland and otber parts of 

 Europe, are tbe usual nurseries of tbis skulking species ; 

 but sometimes it selects tbe swamps on tbe mai'gins of 

 unfrequented lakes. Tbe nest is placed on tbe ground, 

 amongst tbe tbickest berbage, and is composed of dried 

 flags and reeds beaped togetber. Tbe eggs, usually four in 

 number, are of a uniform brownisb-olive colour, sometimes 

 of a greenisb sbade wben fresb ; average measurements 2*1 

 by 1'5 in. Tbey are probably laid at intervals of several 

 days, for Lubbock states tbat in two instances tbe finders of 

 nests assured bim tbat of four young in eacb, two were much 

 older tban tbe otbers ; and tbe Editor remarked consider- 

 able difi'erences in tbe degrees of incubation, in two clutcbes 

 wbicb were brougbt to bim. Tbe young are produced in 

 about twenty-five days ; tbey are fed by tbe parents until 

 fully fledged, and do not quit tbe nest till tbey are nearly 

 able to provide for tbemselves. 



Tbe Bittern usually feeds at nigbt, and is therefore seldom 

 seen on wing in tbe day, but remains with head erect in 

 thick beds of reeds, or conceals itself among flags, rushes, 

 or other rank aquatic vegetation, which afi"ord it a solitary 

 and secure retreat. From such situations it is with difiiculty 

 made to take flight, and when at length obliged to get on 

 wing, tbe pace is dull and flagging, and seldom sustained to 

 any great distance. Vieillot says, that in France it is occa- 

 sionally found in woods, and in Spain the Editor has seen 

 one taking its rest during the beat of tbe day on a pine-tree. 

 In tbe spring, and during the breeding-season, the male 

 Bittern makes a loud booming or bellowing noise, whence, 

 probably, tbe generic term Botauyus was selected for it ; 

 but when roused at other times, the bird is said to utter a 

 sharp, harsh cry on rising, not unlike that of a Wild Goose. 



