BIRDS OF INDIANA. 649 



c 1 . Bill long and slender, at least five times as long as its depth at base. 



ARDEA. 34 

 c 2 . Bill rather short and thick, four times as long as depth at base or less. 



NYCTICORAX. 35 



SUBFAMILY BOTAUKIN.E. BITTERNS. 

 32. GENUS BOTAURUS HEERMANN. 



a 1 . Size, large; sexes alike; young similar. 



6 1 . Wing over 9.50; body variegated with various shades of brown. 



B. lentiginosus (Montag.). 63 



*63, (190). Botaurus lentiginosus (MONTAG.). 



American Bittern. 



American Bittern. 



Plumage of upper parts, singularly freckled with brown of various 

 shades, blackish, tawny, and whitish; neck and under parts, ochery or 

 tawny- white, each feather marked with a brown, dark-edged stripe; 

 the throat line, white, with brown streaks; a velvety-black patch on 

 each side of the neck above; crown, dull brown, with buff superciliary 

 stripe; tail, brown; quills, greenish-black, with a glaucous shade, brown 

 tipped; bill, black and yellowish; legs, greenish; soles, yellow. 



Length, 24.00-34.00; wing, 9.80-12.00; bill, 2.50-3.20; tarsus, 3.10- 

 3.85. 



RANGE. Temperate North America north to Hudson Bay. Breeds 

 chiefly north of the latitude of the mouth of the Ohio River to 

 about 60. Winters from south Indiana and Illinois to Gautemala and 

 West Indies. 



Nest, in swampy places on the ground. Eggs, 3-5; brownish-drab; 

 about 2.00 by 1.50. 



