AR1H.1  \  K. 
Botaurus  Steph.* 
Bill  long  and  .straight,  witli  the  culmen  straight,  flattened  at  the  base,  and  rounded  and  curved  to 
the  tip,  which  is  strongly  cmarginated,  and  the  sides  compressed  ;  the  gonys  short  and  ascending;  the 
nostrils  basal,  and  placed  in  a  deep  groove  that  extends  for  two  thirds  of  the  length  of  the  bill,  with 
the  opening  linear.  Wings  long,  with  the  first  three  quills  equal  and  longest.  Tail  short  and  even. 
Tarsi  as  long  as  the  middle  toe,  rather  strong,  and  covered  in  front  with  broad  transverse  scales.  Toes 
very  long,  and  rather  slender;  the  outer  toe  longer  than  the  inner,  and  united  at  the  base  by  a 
membrane  ;  the  hind  toe  long,  and  rather  slender ;  the  claws  very  long,  slightly  curved,  and  very  acute. 
The  species  of  llns  division  arc  found  in  various  parts  of  the  world,  frequenting  those  countries  that  are  much 
intersected  by  rivers,  or  possess  extensive  swamps  or  marshy  woods.  They  remain  sitting  with  the  bill  pointing 
upwards  during  the  day,  among  the  reeds  and  long  berbagc  of  marshy  and  swampy  places,  and  at  twilight  they  seek 
their  food,  which  consists  of  fish,  reptiles,  and  insects,  and  even  small  quadrupeds.  They  build  their  nest  near  the 
water,  among  the  rccds  and  long  herbage,  of  which  it  is  composed.    The  female  lays  four  or  five  eggs. 
1.  B.  nf  pilar  is  (Linn.)  PI.  enl.  789-  freti  Hudsonis  Briss.  Edwards's  Birds,  pi.  136.  ;  Ar.  minor  Wils. 
2.  B.  poiciloptilua  (Wagl.)  Syst.  Av.  Ardea  sp.  28. — Ardea  I  Amer.  Orn.  pi.  65.  f.  3.;  Ar.  Mokoko  VieiU. 
australis  Cuv.  ?  ;  Botaurus  melanotus  G.  R.  Gray,  App.  Dieffenb.  ;      5.  B.  pumilus  Bodd.  PI.  enl.  898  Ardea  philippensis  Gmel.  ; 
New  Zeal.  ii.  p.  196. 
3.  B.  pinnatus  (Licht.)  Wagl.  Isis,  1829,  p.  663. 
4.  B.  Ipntiyinosus  Mont.  Orn.  Diet.  Suppl.  p.         .  —  Botaurus 
Ar.  radiolata  Wagl. 
6.  B.  undulatus  Gmel.  PI.  enl.  763. 
7.  B.  heliosylus  Less.  Voy.  de  la  Coqu.  Ois.  t.  44. 
Nycticorax  Steph.'f 
BUI  rather  longer  than  the  head,  strong,  with  the  culmen  gradually  curved,  and  the  sides  compressed 
to  the  tip,  which  is  emarginated  ;  the  gonys  long  and  ascending ;  the  nostrils  lateral,  and  placed  in  a 
groove,  with  the  opening  linear,  and  closed  by  a  membranous  scale.  Wings  long ;  with  the  first  quill 
shorter  than  the  second  and  third,  which  are  equal  and  longest.  Tail  short  and  even.  Tarsi  as  long 
as  the  middle  toe;  rather  strong;  and  covered  with  large  irregular  scales.  Toes  long,  rather  slender; 
the  outer  toe  longer  than  the  inner,  both  united  at  their  base,  especially  the  former ;  the  hind  toe  long, 
rather  slender,  and  on  the  same  plane  with  the  others ;  the  claws  moderate,  curved,  and  acute. 
The  species  are  scattered  in  most  parts  of  the  world,  and  are  mostly  observed  quietly  resting  during  the  day  on  the 
high  trees  that  grow  near  the  banks  of  rivers,  and  in  swamps ;  where,  as  the  twilight  approaches,  they  are  actively 
engaged  in  seeking  their  food,  which  consists  of  fish,  reptiles,  and  large  aquatic  insects.  The  noise  emitted  by  these 
birds,  especially  during  the  breeding  season,  is  extremely  loud  and  discordant.  It  is  on  the  tall  trees,  or  on  the  ground 
among  the  reeds  in  the  swamps,  that  the  nest  is  formed  of  sticks.  The  eggs  are  usually  four  in  number.  As  soon  as 
the  young  have  gained  sufficient  strength,  they  climb  to  the  tops  of  the  trees,  where  they  are  fed  by  the  parents  till 
they  are  able  to  fly  and  support  themselves. 
*  Mr.  Stephens  established  this  genus  in  1819  (General  Zoology,  xi.  p.  />92.).    Butor  of  Mr.  Swainson  ("1837)  is  coequal, 
t  Established  by  Mr.  Stephens  in  1 8 1 9  (General  Zoology,  xi.  p.  608.).    Nyctiardea  (1837)  of  Mr.  Swainson,  Scotteus  of  Count 
Keyserling  and  Dr.  Blasius  (1840),  and  Nyctirodius  of  Mr.  Macgillivray  (1842)  are  coequal. 
