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THE BITTERN. 
which the males emit, taurus in Latin signifying a bull. 
They are generally distinguished from the other birds of 
the family by the extreme compression of their bodies and 
heads, shorter legs, with proportionably longer claws, and 
great elongation of the feathers of the neck, which behind 
is bare nearly its whole length ; their oblong extremely 
compressed heads, and very slender, straight bills. They 
reside in marshy places, by the side of lakes and streams, 
and are very retired in their habits, seldom showing them- 
selves on the open ground or during the day. Their young 
remain in the nest until fledged. 
The European Bittern (Botauriis stellaris)^ sometimes 
called the Common Bittern, Miredrum, Bumpy-coss, Butter- 
bump, Bitterbum, Bog Bumper, Bumble. — The American 
Bittern {B, lentiginosus), sometimes called the Freckled 
Heron. — The Little Bittern (J5. mhiutus), sometimes 
called the Boonk, or Long-neck. — The Squacco Bittern 
{B. comatus). 
COMMON BITTERN. 
The above are the four species of Bitterns known as British 
birds ; all are now rare, although the first is said to have 
been at one time abundant in most of the marshy districts 
of Britain. It has a variety of curious popular names, 
