190. Botaurus lentiginosus 
AMERICAN BITTERN. 28 inches 
Adult. Above, top of head deep chestnut, back reddish brown 
streaked with yellowish ; sides of head with d/ack and yellow stripe. 
Below, chin white ; breast yellowish streaked with brown; long bill 
yellow ; legs greenish yellow. Found in both fresh and salt water 
marshes ; it has a habit of standing rigid with bill pointing upward, 
and may be mistaken for a dead stick. Also known as Stake 
Driver. 
Note. A gulping, guttural “ #2%'-a-chunk',” unk '-a-chunk'.” 
Nest. In reedy bogs on the ground. 
Breeds. Summer resident, May to November. 
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