American Bittern 153 



American Bittern. — Botaurus Uniiginosus. 28.00 



Rare Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Upper parts dark brown and buffy; black 

 streak on each side of neck; under parts light buS, 

 streaked with brown; bill yellow; form heron-like. 



The strange guttural notes of this stupid-appearing bird, 

 which Mr. Hoffman thinks resemble the syllables "plum 

 puidn' or unk'-a-chunk'" or " like the gurghng of a pump." 

 are occasionally heard in Albany County in about the same 

 localities as I have ascribed to the Least Bittern. It is slightly 

 larger than the Night Heron, from which it can be distinguished 

 in flight by its brownish upper parts. The flat nest of reeds is 

 made on the ground in marshes. From three to five li^t 

 buffy eggs are laid. 



