AMERICAN BITTERN. 265 



NIGHT HERON. 



NYCTICORAX NYCTICORAX. 

 Genus NYCTICORAX. 



It has been obtained some fifty or sixty times, 

 and visits chiefly the southern and eastern counties 

 of England. According to Hart it has nested in 

 Hampshire. 



BITTERN. 



BOTAURUS STELLARIS. 



Genus BOTAURUS. 

 Mire Drum Bog Jumper. 



An accidental winter visitor. Formerly it was resi- 

 dent in our islands, and some century or two ago was 

 a common bird, but the draining of the marshes has 

 driven it from us, and the guns of specimen hunters 

 and others have cleared off the rest. Possibly a few 

 may still breed in the fen district. From its skulking 

 propensities, its habits have not been so completely 

 studied as most birds'. It hardly ever takes to the 

 wing, remaining hidden in the rushes throughout its 

 stay here. In these it builds its nest of dead reeds. 

 It is very difficult to reach the nest. The eggs re- 

 semble very large Pheasant's eggs. It feeds chiefly 

 upon fish, frogs, and water insects. 



AMERICAN BITTERN. 



BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS. 

 Genus BOTAURUS. 



A rare accidental visitor, generally in the autumn. 

 Driven over by the westerly gales when migrating. 



