DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. 29 



AUSTRALIAN BITTERN, or BOOMER. 

 (Botaurus eiUstra,\is)-~Cwuhfs Hand Book-. 



(Botaurus poeciloptilus)— ^/(///(r^rs' Hand List. 



Size, — In size this bird resembles the crane. 



Bill.— Its bill is long, pointed, and of a yellow color. The skin around the eyes is 

 yellow, with sometimes a tinge of green. 



Plumage. — The plumage is mottled brown and buff. The back is dark mottled 

 brown, but the wings and sides are slightly lighter in color. The breast 

 and neck are lighter still. A most marked and characteristic feature is 

 the crest of long feathers which grows over the back of the head and 

 neck, and can be raised at will. 



Habitat. — The bittern haunts the margins of lakes, lagoons, swamps, and rivers. 



Food. — It feeds principally upon small freshwater fish, frogs, and aquatic insects. 



Nest. — The bittern nests along the margin of a lake or lagoon, usually among the 

 reeds. The nest is constructed out of the flag and other soft parts of 

 reeds, and forms a platform about 6in. above water level. Nidification 

 takes place from November to January. 



Eggs. — The eggs number four to five in a clutch. They are light or pale olive in 

 color, and measure about 2in. x I'l-in. 



Note. — The bittern is called " the boomer " on account of the booming noise 

 it makes at night time. When booming it points its bill upward, and repeats its 

 low note three or four times in succession. If attacked, the bittern draws back 

 its head and shoots forward its long bill with great force and rapidity, aiming at 

 its antagonist's eyes. 



