38 ARDEIDA& 
Nest.—The nest is built on the ground and is composed 
of reeds and other vegetation; the eggs are dun-brown 
in colour, and four to seven constitute the clutch. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial.—The plumage of the 
American Bittern differs from that of the Common species 
in the finer and more profuse barring and streaking of the 
back and wings; the primaries are uniform greyish-brown. 
Adult female nuptial.—Similar in plumage to the male. 
Adult winter, male and female.—Similar to the nuptial 
plumage. 
Immature, male and female.—The general tinge is redder 
and the markings are coarser than in the adult plumage. 
Brak. Upper segment greenish-black, edged below 
with yellow, lower segment lemon-yellow. 
Fret. Dull yellowish-green. 
Ir1pEs. Sulphur-yellow next the pupil, shading ex- 
teriorly to deep orange, encircled narrowly with black. 
AYERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
TOTAL LENGTH ... Ae co 4 em 
WING = sen oa aor) El ee 
BEAK on ae ae et Ae Pa ip fhe 
T'ARSO-METATARSUS ae see POOL ONS. 
Eaa 38 . 1:9) ale Same 
Allied Species and Representative Forms.—‘‘ A specimen 
of the American Butorides virescens, said to have been 
shot in Cornwall in October, 1889, was exhibited at the 
Linnean Society in April, 1890, by Sir C. Sawle. (Cf. Zool. 
1890, p. 105 and p. 181.) (Saunders, Man. Brit. Birds, 
2nd edit., p. 386.) 
