AMERICAN BITTERN. 509 
that the eggs are laid on the bare ground, on a tuft of grass, or at the foot 
of a bush. The eggs of this bird are similar in colour to those of the 
Common Bittern, being greyish buff, sometimes with an olive or a brownish 
tinge. They are from three to five in number, and vary from 2°1 to 1:9 © 
inch in length, and from 1°65 to 1-4 inch in breadth. It is impossible 
to distinguish with certainty between the eggs of this bird and those of 
the European Bittern ; the latter may on an average be a little paler and 
a trifle larger ; but of course the /ocality, if it can be relied upon, is quite 
sufficient for identification. It is difficult to believe that the habits of the 
‘two species are not equally similar. It is in the highest degree improbable 
that the American Bittern is a gregarious bird, except during the period of 
its migrations ; nor is it likely that it ever breeds in colonies or makes its 
nest in trees, or lays its eggs upon the ground without making any nest. 
The American Bittern bears considerable superficial resemblance to the 
Common Bittern, but differs from it in being a much smaller bird, with 
a longer and more slender bill; the vermiculations on the plumage are 
much finer, the quills are uniform instead of barred, and the top of the 
head is brown instead of black; the gorget also is not so large. The 
female resembles the male very closely in colour, but is somewhat smaller, 
