210 ARDElDiE. 



of Ceylon. It appears to be found in suitable localities 

 througbout 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. Extensi"ve 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 margins of 

 unfrequented lakes. Tbe nest is placed on tbe ground, 

 amongst tbe tbickest berbage, and is composed of dried 

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

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

 of a greenish shade when fresh; average measurements 2*1 

 by 1*5 in. They are probably laid at intervals of several 

 days, for Lubbock states that in two instances the finders of 

 nests assured bim that of four young in each, two were much 

 older than the others ; and the Editor remarked consider- 

 able differences in the degrees of incubation, in two clutches 

 which were brought to bim. The young are produced in 

 about twenty-five days ; they are fed by the parents until 

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

 able to provide for themselves. 



The Bittern usually feeds at night, and is therefore seldom 

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

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

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

 and secure retreat. From such situations it is with difficulty 

 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 the day on a pine-tree. 

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

 Bittern makes a loud booming or bellowing noise, whence, 

 probably, tbe generic term Botaurus was selected for it ; 

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

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



