BOTAUftUS. 405 



Genus BOTAURUS, Brisson, 1760. 



This genus, containing the typical Bitterns, is easily recognized 

 by its comparatively short bill and large feet, and its long lax 

 plumage, beautifully mottled with yellow and black. The bill is 

 stout and deep at the base, much compressed, with the culmen 

 considerably shorter than the tarsus, which again is much inferior 

 in length to the middle toe and claw ; the nasal groove is broad ; 

 the claws are long, and the tibia naked for a short distance. Tail- 

 feathers 10. Sexes alike. 



Five species of Bitterns are widely distributed ; one is a winter 

 visitor to India and Burma. 



1574. Botaurus stellaris. The Bittern. 



Ardea stellaris, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 239 (1766). 



Botaurus stellaris, Blyth, Cat. p. 282 ; Adams, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 508 j 

 1859, p. 188; Irby, Ibis, 1861, p. 246 ; Jerdon, B. I. iii, p. 757 j 

 Beavan, Ibis, 1868, p. 398 ; McMaster, J. A. S. B. xl, pt. 2, p. 215 ; 

 Hume, N. $ E. p. 624 ; id. S. F. i, p. 256 ; Butler, S. F. iv, p. 24 ; 

 v, p. 233 ; Hume, 8. F. vii, p. 490 ; Inverarity, ibid. p. 526 ; Hume, 

 Cat. no. 936 ; Butler, S. F. ix, p. 434 ; Reid, S. F. x, p. 76 ; Oates 

 B. B. ii, p. 258 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 385 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. 

 xxvi, p. 253. 



Nir-goung, Bdz, II. 



Fig. 99. Head of B. stellaris. 



Coloration. Crown and nape black ; upper plumage generally 

 ochreous butf, with black or dark brown markings which cover the 

 greater part of the back and scapulars, and become broken into 

 angulate cross-bars on the wing-coverts, rump, and tail, and into 

 more distant narrow angulate bars on the sides of the neck ; quills 

 rather irregularly barred black and rufous ; a broad blackish stripe 

 runs back from the gape ; chin and throat whitish, with a median 

 tawny band; rest of lower plumage yellowish buff, with brown 

 mottled streaks on the fore neck, and black on the breast and 

 abdomen. 



