BOAT-BILLED HERON. 301 



inferior size and more slender limbs, but likewise by the uniformly lead-brown hue 

 of the primary quills of the wings. 



The common bittern, like so many members of the present family, has a wide 

 geographical distribution, extending all over Europe as far north as latitude 60, 

 and even to 64 on the Yenisei, in Asia, and ranging eastwards through Central 

 Asia to China and Japan. It also occurs in Persia and Northern and Central 

 India, as well as in Burma ; and likewise ranges over the whole of Africa, in 

 localities suited to its habits. The New World species is found over the greater 

 part of North America. The bittern is essentially a bird of the swamps, 

 among the reeds and bulrushes of which it either skulks in the rail-like manner 

 shown in the central figure of our illustration, or stands erect, as depicted 

 in the background, when it presents a strange resemblance to a pointed 

 stump. When disturbed in the day among a bed of reeds, it generally rises 

 within easy shot, and after flapping lazily along for a short distance, once 

 more takes to covert. While on the wing, it utters a resounding cry, replaced 

 during the breeding-season by the hollow boom, from which the bird derives 

 its name; and in its evening flights the bittern is said to soar in circles to 

 vast heights. The breeding-season in Europe commences in March and April ; 

 and the nest, w^hich is formed of a mass of reeds and flags, is placed either in 

 thick covert, or on the marge of a swamp. The four eggs are olive-brown in 

 colour, but may be tinged w^ith green when fresh laid. Among our ancestors the 

 bittern was regarded as a favourite dish ; and in Landseer's well-known picture a 

 bittern figures among the offering sent to the abbot of Bolton Abbey, Instead of 

 booming, the American species during the breeding-season utters a cry which has 

 been compared to the sound produced by hitting a stake with a mallet. Writing 

 of the American bird, Dr. Coues observes that " when the bittern is disturbed at his 

 meditation, he gives a vigorous spring, croaks at the moment in a manner highly 

 suggestive of his displeasure, and flies off as fast as he can, though in rather a 

 loose, lumbering way. For some distance he flaps heavily with dangling legs and 

 outstretched neck; but \vhen settled on his course he proceeds more smoothly, 

 with regular, measured wing-beats, the head drawn in closely, and the legs stretched 

 out behind together like a rudder. He is very easily shot on the wing, dropping 

 at a touch of even fine shot. When winged, he croaks painfully as he drops, and 

 no sooner does he touch the ground than he gathers himself in defensive attitude 

 to resent aggression as best he can. He fights well, and with more spirit and 

 determination than he might be expected to show. He has a very ugly way of 

 pointing his resistance with quick thrusts of his spear-like bill, capable of inflicting 

 110 slight wound on an incautious hand. The food of this bird consists of various 

 kinds of small aquatic animals. In its stomach may be found molluscs, crayfish, 

 frogs, lizards, small snakes, and fishes, as well as insects. Such prey is captured 

 with great address, by spearing, as the bird walks or wades stealthily along " ; the 

 thrust of the bill being marvellously quick and skilful. It may be added that 

 in America as well as in the Old World bitterns are to a certain extent migratory. 

 Boat-Billed The last member of the family to which it will be necessary 



Heron. to allude is the remarkable boat-billed heron (Canchroma cochlearia) 

 of South America, which, while agreeing with the other representatives of 



