ARDEIN^E. BOTAURUS. 123 



anterior scutella ; toes long, stout, scutellate above, the first 

 strong, the second much longer than the fourth, which is 

 connected with the third by a small basal web ; claws long, 

 slender ; that of the first toe stouter and more arched, of 

 the middle toe with the inner edge pectinate. Plumage very 

 full and soft ; feathers of the sides and lower part of the 

 neck much elongated, on the former directed obliquely back- 

 wards, so as to cover the downy part of the hind-neck ; wings 

 large, of twenty-eight quills, of which the third and second 

 are longest ; inner secondaries nearly as long ; tail very 

 short, nearly even, of ten soft feathers. 



The Bitterns inhabit marshy places, in which, in a hide- 

 ling manner, they search for reptiles, fishes, and other aqua- 

 tic animals. The males, in the breeding season, make a 

 loud booming or bellowing noise. The eggs, from three to 

 five, are elliptical, and of one colour, generally grey, oliva- 

 ceous, or white. The nest is placed on the ground, and the 

 young remain in it until fledged. Some of the smaller spe- 

 cies approach the Rails in form and habits. 



216. BOTAURUS STELLARIS. EUROPEAN BITTERN. 



Length about thirty inches ; one inch of the tibia bare. 

 Adult light reddish-yellow, with the upper part of the head, 

 and the greater portion of the scapulars purplish-black, the 

 rest of the upper parts transversely variegated with dusky ; 

 the lower parts paler, with the markings onr the fore-neck 

 larger and more brown, those along the middle of the breast 

 black and longitudinal. The young are similar to the adult. 



Male, 30, 46, 13^, 3, 3 T n 2 , 3 T \, l^. 



This species, which appears to have formerly been plenti- 

 ful in England, is now of rare occurrence in any part of Bri- 

 tain, and especially in Scotland. It occurs occasionally in 

 the less frequented marshes and moors, and is permanently 

 resident. The male makes a singular bellowing noise. The 

 nest is formed of sedges and other plants, and the eggs, four 

 or five, are elliptical, and olivaceous-grey. It is with diffi- 

 culty started, flies slowly, and soon alights. Its food consists 

 of small fishes, frogs, lizards, and insects. The bronchi, al- 

 though wide, scarcely exceed those of any other birds of this 

 family. 



