502 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Genus BOTAURUS. 



The genus Botaurus was established in 1819 by Stephens, in the eleventh 

 volume of Shaw's ' General Zoology' (p. 592), the Common Bittern (the 

 Ardea botaurus of Brisson) being the type. 



The Bitterns may be distinguished from the typical Herons by having 

 only ten tail-feathers instead of twelve. The bill is long, slender, and 

 nearly straight, like that of the Herons ; but the ridge of the upper 

 mandible, like that of the Night- Heron, is more curved. Like that of the 

 Herons, the tarsus is covered in front with broad scales, a character which 

 distinguishes them from the Night-Herons and Storks. The plumage is 

 generally mottled with shades of brown, finely vermiculated. The back of 

 the neck is generally bare of feathers and only covered with down ; but 

 this peculiarity is found in the genus Butorides, which otherwise differs 

 in having the reticulated tarsus and twelve tail-feathers. 



There are about five and twenty species of Bitterns, which are distri- 

 buted throughout the world, except in the extreme north. Two species 

 are European, both of which are very rare residents in the British Islands, 

 and a third has repeatedly visited our islands from the American continent. 



The Bitterns frequent the deepest and most secluded swamps and 

 morasses, amongst the shelter of luxuriant aquatic vegetation. They are 

 shy and retiring in their habits, resting for the most part during the day, 

 becoming very active and feeding at night. Their flight is slow but 

 powerful and is seldom prolonged. Their notes are loud and very peculiar. 

 Their food consists of fish, reptiles, aquatic insects, &c. They build their 

 nests in large marshes, making them of aquatic plants, and their eggs are 

 unspotted olive-brown or white. 



