AMERICAN BITTERN. 99 



when inflated; the rectum 4 inches long and 4 twelfths in diameter, its ante- 

 rior extremity rounded, and having a minute papilliform termination, only 1 

 twelfth long. 



The trachea, which is \2\ inches long, differs from that of ordinary He- 

 rons in being much compressed, especially at its upper and lower extremi- 

 ties; the middle part being less so. It is also proportionally wider, and its 

 rings are narrower. At the top its diameter is 5 twelfths, at the middle 4|- 

 twelfths, towards the lower part 4f twelfths, at the end 4^ twelfths. The 

 rings are osseous, in number ISO; the five lower divided in front and behind, 

 and much arched, the last measuring half an inch in a direct line between its 

 extremities. The bronchi are in consequence very broad at their commence- 

 ment, but gradually taper, and are composed of about 18 half rings. The 

 contractor muscles are inconspicuous, the sterno-tracheal slender; and there 

 is a single pair of inferior laryngeal, going to the first bronchial ring. The 

 aperture of the glottis is S twelfths long, without any papilla?, but with a 

 deep groove behind, and two thin-edged flaps. 



In the digestive organs of this bird, there is nothing remarkably different 

 from that of other Herons. The stomach contained remains of fishes and 

 large coleopterous insects. The examination of the trachea, bronchi, and 

 lungs, would not lead us to suppose that its cry is of the curious character 

 represented, although it certainly would induce us to believe it different from 

 that of ordinary Herons, which have the trachea narrower, round, and with 

 broader and more bony rings. 



Although in external appearance and habits it exhibits some affinity to the 

 Rails, its digestive organs have no resemblance to theirs. 



An egg presented by Dr. Brewer of Boston, measures two inches in 

 length by one inch and a half, and is of a broadly oval shape, rather pointed 

 at the smaller end, and of a uniform dull olivaceous tint. 



