6 
in New Orleans. It has also been found occa- 
sionally in this country, a few specimens having 
been shot at different times; one in Devonshire in 
1804, which, with other birds of Colonel Montagu’s, 
was presented to the British Museum. It makes 
its nest in swamps, and lays four eges, an inch and 
a half in length, of a broad oval shape, rather 
pointed at the smaller end, and of a uniform cine- 
reous green colour. 
BITLE RN, COM WON. 
ARDEA STELLARIS, Lin. 
This bird, which is similar in size and habits to 
the common Heron, was formerly plentifully dis- 
tributed over this country, among the extensive 
marshes and waste lands; but since these began 
to be reclaimed by the introduction of an improved 
system of cultivation, the Bittern may be considered 
only an occasional visitant at uncertain periods. 
It is ashy, solitary bird, never seen on the wing by 
day except when disturbed, but generally sitting 
erect among the reeds and rushes in swampy situa- 
tions. When it changes its haunts, which it does 
in the dusk of the evening, it makes a loud boom- 
ing noise, more particularly in the breeding season. 
In handling a wounded Bittern it requires some 
care to prevent a severe blow on the face from its 
sharply-pointed bill. If it is not quite disabled, it 
