176 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



parts chiefly yellowish-buff, streaked with brown, the middle of the fore- 

 neck and breast streaked with rufous-brown. 



Iris yellow ; bill yellowish ; feet greenish-yellow. 



Total length 23 inches, wing 11-50, culmen 3, tarsus 3-50. 



Adult female similar to the male. 



The Bittern is not uncommon in Tunisia in winter and spring, 

 and breeds in certain numbers in the north of the Regency, though 

 perhaps not in the oases of the south. Salvin states that a few of 

 these birds inhabit the marsh of Zana, where they breed (76?.s, 18.59, 

 p. 3.59). 



According to Loche, the species is common in Algeria, and par- 

 tiallj' sedentarj'. In Marocco Fav'ier says it winters and is seen in 

 abundance on passage, and Col. Irby (Orn. Str. Gib. p. 188) adds 

 that it breeds as far south as the neighbourhood of Rabat, from 

 whence he had seen eggs of the species. 



In most Mediterranean countries the Bittern is to be found more 

 or less abundantly, and it occurs throughout Europe generally, though 

 rarer in the north of the Continent. In Asia its range eastward 

 extends to Japan, northward to the Yenesei, and southward to 

 Cej-lon and Borneo. 



It is essentially a marsh bird, frequenting dense swamps and high 

 reed-beds, in the thickest parts of which it passes most of the day 

 in solitary seclusion, coming forth towards evening to feed. Though 

 solitary and unsociable during the greater part of the j'ear, it is said 

 to become gregarious in the seasons of migration, having occasionally 

 been met with in fairly large flocks. Its flight is slow and heavy, and 

 except when actually on passage, is not prolonged for any great 

 distance. Its usual note is a loud croak, but during the breeding- 

 season the male utters, chiefly during the evening or at night, the 

 loud harsh " booming " sound, which by some authorities has been 

 likened to the bellowing of a bull (whence probably the name 

 Botaunis), and may be heard a long way off. 



Its food consists chiefly of small fish, frogs, worms and water- 

 insects. The species breeds as a rule in isolated pairs among dense 

 aquatic vegetation, placing its nest on the gi'ound, and building it of 

 dry rushes or similar material. Its eggs, three to five in number, 

 are of an olive-colour and measure about 52 X 38 mm. 



