nu; 



THE NEST AND EOOS. 



The frail nest of tliis binl is on llie ground. The 

 ejrgs, tlirco to five in number, aie bi-ownisli-driib, un- 

 spotted and about two indies long by about one and 

 one-half inches broad. 



ITS FOOD. 



The Bittern feeds on fish, crayfish, frogs, tadpoles, 

 snakes, snails, different kinds of insects, particularly 

 grasshoppers and beetles. It catches mice and other 

 small-sized quadrupeds which it chances to. come across 

 in its secluded retreats, and sometimes it will kill the 

 voung of ducks aond Rails. 



