lGS ARDEID.E. 



peated. The American Bittern breeds, like other species, 

 among the reeds and other water-plants that grow in swamps 

 and bogs : the eggs are stated to be in colour pale Prussian 

 green. 



The entire length of this Bittern is twenty-seven inches 

 from the tip of the beak to the extremity of the tail. The 

 beak is yellow, with a dark horn- coloured ridge on the upper 

 mandible ; the lore green ; the iris reddish yellow. The 

 feathering on the head is black, with green reflections ; from 

 the corner of the mouth a black mustachio extends to below 

 the cheeks and ear-coverts. The ground-colour of the entire 

 plumage is yellowish buff, except the chin, which is white. 

 The face, nape, neck, and upper parts are pencilled with 

 black, and the centres of the feathers are rufous olivaceous 

 brown ; the zig-zag pencillings on the under parts are more 

 distant and finer. The quill-feathers are bluish- purple, shaded 

 with dusky. The legs are oil-green ; claws dusky horn- 

 colour. 



