140 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 



Genus Botaurus. 

 Bill serrated, about as long as inner toe and claw. Hind 

 claw very long, nearly as long as its toe. 



The Bittern. 



Botaurus poeciloptilus. 



Australia, Tasmania, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. 

 Above mottled with tawny yellow and black; nearly uniform black 

 mantle and scapulars; a ruff of smoky brown on the sides of the neck; 



From life. D. Le Souef. 



Bittern in Attitude of Defence: Botaurus poeciloptilus. 



crown of head black, with a crest of mottled feathers on the nape; under 

 surface reddish brown; reddish bands on fore-neck, and black-centred 

 feathers on the sides of the chest. Total length 24 inches, culmen 2.8, 

 wing 12.5, tail 4.5, tarsus 3.9. 



Nest usually a trodden-down platform in a thick growth of 

 rushes in a swamp. Five eggs form the fuU clutch. They are 

 of a light olive-green colour, and measure about 2.01 x 1.46 inch. 



