BITTERN. 1 1 



BITTERN. 



COMMON BITTERN. MIRE DRUM. BITTER BUMP. 

 BOG BUMPER. 



PLATE CLXI. FIGURE II. 



Botaurus stellaris, SELBY. 



Ardea stellaris, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



r 1 1HE nest of this species is made of sticks, reeds, 

 -*- and other rough materials, and is generally placed 

 on the ground, in the thickest part of the vegetation, 

 not far from the water's edge. Dr. Thieneman says 

 that the bird is careful to put it upon a mass of fallen 

 reeds and prostrate rushes, so as to be beyond the 

 effects of any temporary rising of the water. 



The eggs, which are of a similar shape at either 

 end, are from three to four or five in number, and of 

 a uniform pale brown colour. The female sits on them, 

 and the male brings her food while thus engaged 

 The young are soon able to shift for themselves. 



The figure on the plate is from an egg (taken in 

 Norfolk,) in Mr. Smith's cabinet. 



