HERON. 103 



Clucking Hen, Brown, Jam. 478. Damp. Voy. iii. part i. 75 ? 

 Brasilian Bittern, Gen. Syn. v. 62. Brown, III. 88. pi. 34. Gent. Mag. Vol. 42. 

 pi. p. 209. 



THIS is one-fourth less than the Common Heron, and two feet 

 and three quarters in length. Bill reddish yellow ; head and upper 

 part of the body deep orange red, finely barred with black; chin 

 whitish red ; fore part of the neck pale red, with oblong black spots ; 

 the feathers long and loose ; belly white, spotted with yellow ; thighs 

 barred with dusky; quills black, with white tips; rump and tail 

 coverts dashed with white, black, and yellow, narrow lines ; tail 

 black, crossed with a few white lines, and tipped with the same ; 

 legs dull rust-colour. 



Another of these, probably differing in sex, had the long neck 

 feathers white on their lower parts ; the breast and sides white, with 

 regular rows of large black spots; middle of the belly white; quills 

 as in the other, and besides spotted on the exterior web with white ; 

 legs pale brown. 



These inhabit the lakes and rivers in the hot parts of America, 

 and several of the West India Islands. They feed on fish, yet are 

 reckoned good eating, especially the young birds. The fowlers 

 watch in the sedges, and shoot them. 



68— LINEATED BITTERN. 



Ardea lineata, Ind. Orn. ii. 682. Gm. Lin. i. 638. 

 L'Onore raye, Buf. vii. 432. PI. enl. 860. 

 Le Heron d'un brun bleuatre, Voy. d'Azara, iv. No. 354. 

 Lineated Bittern, Gen. Syn. v. 64. 



LENGTH two feet and a half. Bill and lore blue, the last bare, 

 surrounding the base; upper parts of the head and neck bright 

 rufous, crossed with numerous brown lines; down the fore part 

 passes a streak of white, beginning at the chin ; this is bounded half 



