of "booming." During the breeding season, the male bird 

 may be heard making a loud and startling sound like the boom 

 produced by driving a stake into soft ground. This strange 

 noise is made by forcing air through the throat. When once 

 heard it will be long remembered. This habit of booming has 

 given the Bittern one of its common names while the other is 

 derived from its place of nesting. 



BIRD NOTES 



93 



