406 ARDEIDJE. 



Bill greenish yellow ; bare space before eye yellowish green ; 

 irides yellow ; legs and feet yellowish green (Seebohm). Bill pale 

 yellow below and at the edges, brown above (Jerdon). 



Length 28 ; tail 4'5 ; wing 13 ; tarsus 3'8 ; bill from gape *4. 



Distribution. The Bittern breeds in the northern part of the 

 temperate zone throughout the Palsearctic region from Western 

 Europe to Japan, and migrates in winter to the countries round 

 the Mediterranean, to S.W. Asia, India, Burma, and China. It is 

 not common in Northern India, though found so far south as the 

 Deccan, Bombay, Kamptee, and even ifc is said Bangalore ; it is also 

 rare in Pegu. It has not been observed in Southern India, Ceylon, 

 or Tenasserim. Adams states that it is resident in Kashmir, but 

 this is very doubtful ; so far as is known it does not breed within 

 Indian limits. 



Habits, $"c. A nocturnal bird, hiding in reeds or swampy grass 

 in the daytime. When seen it generally rises with a slow, noiseless 

 flight close to the person who disturbs it. It lives on fish, frogs, 

 water-insects, crustaceans, and worms, but, despite its diet, I can 

 from experience corroborate Jerdon's statement that it is (at all 

 ^vents at times) good to eat. Its usual note is a croak, but in the 

 breeding-season it makes a loud booming sound. 



