Brrrern. GRALLATORES. BOTAURUS. 35 
the American Bittern described by Witson in his admira- 
ble work on the Birds of North America, and the Hudson’s 
Bay Bittern figured by. Epwarps, and referred to by 
Latnam asa variety of Ardea (Botaurus) stellaris. This 
specimen, which was shot in the parish of Piddleton in Dor- 
setshire, in the autumn of 1804, passed into Monracv’s pos- 
session, and is now, with the rest of his collection, deposited 
in the British Museum. No subsequent instance has occurred. 
of its capture in England. The habits and manners of this 
species, according to Witson *, are similar to those of the 
Common Bittern, which, in figure, size, and colour, it nearly 
resembles. It inhabits marshes, the banks of lakes, rivers, 
&c. where it remains at rest during the day, concealed in the 
thick reeds, &c.; as it is, like the rest of this group, a noc- 
turnal feeder, and only roused into activity by the departure 
of daylight. When surprised, or driven from its retreat, it 
emits like the Bittern a sound something like the tap on a 
drum,—a fact observed by Mr Cunnincuaw, the gentleman 
who shot the individual above mentioned. It is common in 
North America, extending from the Carolmas as far as Hud- 
son’s Bay, where it arrives in May as asummer visitant.—It 
breeds in the marshes among the reeds and swampy herbage, Nest, &c. 
and the eggs are stated to be of a pale bluish-green colour. 
For a minute description of the plumage of this bird, I 
must refer my readers to Montacvu’s work. 
* See Witson’s North American Crnithology, article American Bittern. 
cQ 
