300 



HERONS, STORKS, AND IBISES. 



metatarsus; while the toes are very unequal length, and the first unusually 

 elongated. Owing to the equality in length of the lii-st three quills, the somewhat 

 elongated wings are rounded at their extremities. There is but little difference 

 between the plumage of the young and mature birds. Although inferior in size to 

 the heron, from which it differs markedly in its much shorter and thicker neck, 

 larger and plumeless head, and shorter beak, the bittern is a decidedly striking 

 bird ; and its mottled plumage of buff, brown, and black, is adapted to harmonise 

 with the dead stalks of the reeds and flags among which it habitually skulks. As 



COMMON BITTERN IN ITS VARIOUS POSTURES {\ nat. size). 



regards coloration, the crown of the head is black with a tinge of bronzj^ green, 

 the elongated feathers at the back of the head and nape being barred with black 

 and buff; the remainder of the body-plumage is characterised by having a huffish 

 ground variously marked with reddish brown and blackish brown flecks, bars, and 

 streaks, with a dark stripe from behind the angle of the beak and another down 

 the front of the throat. The primaries are mingled greyish black and chestnut, 

 and the tail-feathers reddish brown with black markings. The beak is greenish 

 yellow, tending to horn-colour at the tip, the lore green, the iris yellow, and the 

 leg and foot green with pale horn-coloured claws. In length a male bittern may 

 vary from 28 to 30 inches. The American bittern {B. lentiginosus), which is an 

 accidental visitor to Britain, differs from the common species, not only by its 



