CLASS II. AYES: ORDEK 7. GKALLATORES. 



THE AMERICAN BITTERN. 



from some formidable being tliat resided at the bottom of the waters. This is the bittern, whose 

 windpipe is fitted to produce the sound for which it is remarkable, the lower part of it, dividing 

 into the lungs, being supplied with a thin, loose membrane, that can be filled with a large body 

 of air and exploded at pleasure. These bellowings are chiefly heard from the beginning of spring 

 to the end of autumn, and arc the usual calls during the pairing season." It is found in Southern 

 Europe and in parts of Asia and Africa. 



The Little Bittern, B. mrmitus, is thirteen inches long; it is a native of Southern Europe, 

 the southwestern parts of x\sia, and the greater part of Africa. 



The American Bittern, A. minor or B. lent'tginosus^ is twenty-six inches long, of a rusty 

 yellow color, mottled with brown. In its habits it resembles the European bittern, having a sim- 

 ilar booming cry. It is familiarly known by the names of Poke, Indian Hen, Indian Pullet, 

 Look-up, Stake-Driver, and by the French in Louisiana, Garde-solcil. It ranges throughout 

 nearly the entire continent of North America ; accidental in Europe. 



Other American species are the Green Heron, A. virescens or Butoridcs virescens, which 

 is seventeen inches long ; it has a slight crest ; glossy green above, chin and throat whitish, spot- 

 ted with brown. It lives in marshy situations, feeding on small reptiles and fishes. It has re- 

 ceived the vulgar names of Poke, Chalk-Line, Fly-up-the- Creek, and, to speak the truth, the 

 questionable epithet of Schytepoke is very commonly applied to it. It is found throughout the 

 United States. 



The Least Bittern, A. or Ardetta exilis, is ten inches long; chestnut above and white be- 

 neath ; found throughout the United States. There are still other species on the remote western 

 frontiers of North America. 



THE BOAT-BILLS, &c. 



Genus CANCROMA : Cancroma. — This includes the Boat-Bill or Crested Savacou, C. 

 cocJdearia, which is about the size of a domestic hen. Its beak resembles a boat reversed, having 

 a strong ridge or keel down the middle of the upper mandible, and the sides spread out and 

 bowed. In the male, the upper part of the neck and breast are dirty white ; the back and lower 

 part of the belly rusty-reddish. The legs and feet are brown. From the head depends a long 

 crest of feathers, falling backward. The female has the top of the head black, without the elon- 



