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ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



In size the Tiger Bittern nearly approaches its noisy 

 European namesake, measuring about two feet and a 

 half in length, when its neck is drawn out to its full 

 extent. On the upper surface the ground colour of the 

 plumage exhibits different shades of brown, transversely 

 barred with black, the head and neck being somewhat 

 paler in the ground, and the black markings assuming 

 the form of spots rather than of bars. On the under 

 surface the ground is still more pale, becoming almost 

 white on the throat and abdomen, but crossed like the 

 upper by numerous transverse dusky bars. The bill is 

 of a dull greenish horn-colour ; the iris light yellow ; 

 and the legs ashy gray. 



The Tiger Bittern is a native of Guiana, where it 

 makes its solitary dwelling in the savannahs, or during 

 the dry season among the high grass, frequenting the 

 banks of rivers, and watching the appearance of the 

 frogs and other reptiles on which it feeds, awaiting its 

 prey with the same melancholy air of abstraction which 

 characterizes its European representative. It builds its 

 nest upon the ground, and lays seven or eight roundish 

 eggs. La Borde states that an individual kept in cap- 

 tivity in its native country was constantly on the watch 

 for rats, which it caught with greater dexterity than a 

 cat ; but although it had been for two years domesti- 

 cated, it always concealed itself in corners, and assumed 

 a threatening air whenever it was approached. 





