294 



V E B T E B B A T E S . 



been counted on one tree. The nest, which is large and flat, is 

 built of sticks, lined with wool, or other soft materials, on which 

 are deposited four or five bluish-green, lustreless eggs. 



The Bittebn. — This bird is about the size of a heron. 

 The crown of its head is black ; and there is a black spot near 

 each angle of the mouth. Its neck is covered with long feathers, 

 wh'vh it can erect at pleasure. The legs, compared with those 

 of the same family, rather short. The back is beautifully speckled 

 with black, brown, and grey ; the body beneath whitish 



The Bittern. 



The food of the Bittern chiefly consists of frogs and othei 

 aquatic animals. Its nest is rude, and generally formed of reeds, 

 sticks, etc., placed on some dry clump in a reedy marsh, or well- 

 clothed rushy moor, and containing four or five pale green eggs. 



This bird .prevails in Europe, and is an inhabitant of the 



