THE AMERICAN BITTERN 157 



of birds previously slaughtered annually for America will not 

 be killed, because there will be no sale for them. Already 

 the London feather market has suffered a decline of more than 

 33 per cent. To-day (1914) the bird protectors of England, 

 France, Holland and Germany are fighting for the enactment 

 of prohibitory laws similar to ours. 



The American Egret, or Great White Egret,i is, 

 when adult, our second largest bird of the Order of Herons 

 with pure-white plumage, the great white heron being the first. 

 Much to the misfortune of this species, it possesses about 

 fifty "aigrette" plumes which droop in graceful curves from 

 the middle of its back, far beyond the tail and wing tips. 

 For these beautiful feathers this bird also has been pursued by 

 plume-hunters, to the point of total extermination. In the 

 protected Egret rookeries of Florida a few of these birds still 

 live, and if protection continues they may by breeding re- 

 store their species to our avifauna on a permanent basis. 



The American Bittern^ is a fairly large bird, of a yel- 

 lowish-brown color, elaborately mottled and streaked with va- 

 rious shades of light and dark. When standing in conceal- 

 ment, it draws in its neck until it wholly disappears in its 

 plumage. The result is an egg-shaped bird, with a beak at 

 the small end, pointing heavenward, and short, thick legs 

 below. I have seen a Bittern stand motionless in that idiotic 

 attitude for nearly an hour at a time. Even in the whirling 

 gayety of our big Flying Cage, it takes life sadly, and never 

 makes merry, as do all other birds, even the funereal vul- 



' Her-o'di-as e-gret'ta. Length, about 40 inches. 

 ^ Bo-tau'rus len-tig-i-no'sus. Length, 26 inches. 



