COMMON BITTERN.— AMERICAN BITTERN. 32l 



it utters a harsh cry. In the breeding-season, its note has a 

 loud booming or bellowing sound, whence its name of 

 botaurus. The nest is on the ground, and is built of reeds 

 and flags, in the most impenetrable part of a fen. Of its 

 merits for the table opinions vary ; I have sometimes tasted 

 it, and consider its flavour very like that of a hare. 



Mr. Jefi'ery (p. n.) mentions a Bittern killed at Fish- 

 bonrne, in January 1860, containing a flat fish and a hard 

 pellet of the fur of the water-rat and shrew, felted together. 

 Another was shot at Binstead, in January 1869 ; one at 

 Vinnetrow, in February 1880 ; and another at Ashling, in 

 January of the following year ; also a fifth at Vinnetrow, in 

 January 1887. Mr. Knox says he has seen it flushed from 

 the reed-beds at the upper pond in Burton Park. 



In the ' Zoologist ' (p. 1178, s. s.) we find that a fine adult 

 male Bittern was shot at Steyning, in February 1868. 



AMERICAN BITTERN. 



Botaurus lentiginoms. 



This exceedingly rare visitor has, I believe, only occurred 

 twice in Sussex. It is a shy and solitary bird. When 

 flushed among the reeds, it rises with a spring, and at that 

 time utters a loud croaking, in a manner expressive of 

 disgust at being disturbed, and flies ofi" as fast as it can with 

 dangling legs and outstretched neck ; but when settled on 

 its course it proceeds more smoothly, with head drawn in 

 and legs stretched out behind. If winged, it defends itself 

 stoutly. Its food consists of various small animals, mol- 

 lusks, crayfish, frogs, lizards, small snakes, and fish. Its 

 call is described by Audubon as a hoarse croaking, as if the 

 throat were filled with water. In the breeding-season the 



Y 



