Birrern. GRALLATORES. BOTAURUS. 33 
nearly to the confines of Asia; and it is most abundant in 
such countries as are intersected by water, or possess extensive 
swamps or marshy woods. In the colder countries of Europe 
it is regularly migratory, but it is permanently resident in 
the warmer parts of the continent. Its internal anatomy 
exhibits nothing very particular. The annulary cartilages 
of the windpipe are not entire, but semicircular ; the other 
part being supplied by a thin soft membrane ; and, like 
many other kinds belonging to this family, it has,but one ca- 
cal appendage, about half an inch in length. From the re- 
searches of Dr Barrow on the arterial system of birds, it 
appears that Messrs Mrecuet and Nirzscu are in error in 
describing the two common carotid arteries of this bird as 
uniting into a single trunk, as, in fact, they only appear to 
do so from the close adhesion that takes place where the one 
passes behind the other. 
Prate 8. Represents the Bittern in a position in which it 
does not seem to have been previously figured, but one 
always assumed when at rest, or when seeking its prey 
amongst reeds or long herbage. In this posture the 
neck is bent in the form of a flattened letter S, with the 
head resting nearly between the shoulders. The long 
side-feathers of the neck are thus brought together, and 
form a close and compact covering, leaving none of the 
bare or downy part exposed, which latter must be the 
case, if the bird kept the neck in the state of extension 
in which it is usually depicted. This position of the 
head is also the most advantageous for the ready cap- 
ture of its prey, as it is always prepared to dart its bill 
forward, like a javelin from its poise, the moment that 
the desired object is within its reach. The present 
figure is of the natural size. 
The crown of the head is black, glossed with bronzed 
green; the feathers of the occiput are margined with 
cream-yellow, and rayed with black. From the angle 
VOL. Il. C 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
