270 



ARDEID^ : HERONS. 



marsh rather than of such woody swamps as most 

 Herons affect, and differs from any of the foregoing in 

 nesting upon the ground, as well as in the character of 

 its eggs. Mr. Endicott remarks very pointedly upon 

 the general uncertainty that pervades ornithological 

 writings respecting the color of the Bittern's eggs, 

 *' finding the enumerated authorities determined that the 

 eggs should have green on them of some shade or 

 other." He calls them "a dark drab ; " Mr. Samuels 

 says "a rich drab, with sometimes an olive tinge." 



Fig. 57. — Bill of botaurus mugitans. Natural size. 



The color of the several sets before me may be called 

 a brownish-drab, with a shade of gray. It is a difficult 

 color to name, and doubtless varies in tint in different 

 specimens ; but it is probably never anything like the 

 clear, pale greenish of the eggs of ordinary Herons. 

 Specimens measure 1.90 X 1.50, to 2.00 X 1.50; the 

 nest-complement is three to five. 



The Bittern also differs from most Herons in being 

 " wild, shy, and solitary." We oftener start one from his 

 lonely vigils in the bog, than find several, or even a pair 

 together, excepting in the breeding season. No doubt 

 he enjoys life after his own fashion, but his notions 



