ARDEID^E. 165 



lowed for the reception of the eggs, which are from three 

 to five in number, and of a uniform pale-brown colour. In 

 its habits the Bittern, like the Herons, is comparatively in- 

 active during the day, coming forth to feed in the evening 

 and twilight. Its food is probably seized after patiently 

 watching for it, and struck at and swallowed at once. In 

 the days of falconry, the Bittern was considered one of the 

 noblest objects of sport, and protected by severe penalties. 



THE AMERICAN BITTERN. Butor lentiginosus. Some 

 specimens of this bird have been obtained from time to time 

 in this country ; but of its nidification we are not prepared 

 to write. 



THE NIGHT HERON. Nyctlcorax Gardenii. This spe- 

 cies, which is said to be very widely spread over Asia, Africa, 

 and southern Europe, is but occasionally and rarely met with 

 in Britain. In America it is said to be represented by the 

 Qua-bird, but whether the two are identical or distinct 

 species, we cannot say. Its habits closely assimilate in 

 many respects to those of the Common Heron. It breeds, 

 like that bird, in societies, upon the topmost branches of 

 trees, and roosts during the day in the recesses of woods 

 adjacent to swamps and rivers, which it visits on the ap- 

 proach of twilight in the quest of prey. 



