ARDEINiE. BOTAURUS. 
123 
anterior scutella ; toes long, stout, scutellate above, tbe first 
strong, tbe second much longer than the fourth, which is 
connected with the third by a small basal web ; claws long, 
slender ; that of the first toe stouter and more arched, of 
the middle toe with the inner edge pectinate. Plumage very 
full and soft ; feathers of the sides and lower part of the 
neck much elongated, on the former directed obliquely back- 
wards, so as to cover the downy part of the hind-neck ; wings 
large, of twenty- eight quills, of which the third and second 
are longest ; inner secondaries nearly as long ; tail very 
short, nearly even, of ten soft feathers. 
The Bitterns inhabit marshy places, in which, in a hide- 
ling manner, they search for reptiles, fishes, and other aqua- 
tic animals. The males, in the breeding season, make a 
loud booming or bellowing noise. The eggs, from three to 
five, are elliptical, and of one colour, generally grey, oliva- 
ceous, or white. The nest is placed on the ground, and the 
young remain in it until fledged. Some of the smaller spe- 
cies approach the Bails in form and habits. 
216. Botaurus stellaris. European Bittern. 
Length about thirty inches; one inch of the tibia bare. 
Adult light reddish-yellow, with the upper part of the head, 
and the greater portion of the scapulars purplish-black, the 
rest of the upper parts transversely variegated with dusky ; 
the lower parts paler, with the markings on the fore-neck 
larger and more brown, those along the middle of the breast 
black and longitudinal. The young are similar to the adult. 
Male, 30, 46, 13^, 3, 3 X ^, 3 X %, l x %. 
This species, which appears to have formerly been plenti- 
ful in England, is now of rare occurrence in any part of Bri- 
tain, and especially in Scotland. It occurs occasionally in 
the less frequented marshes and moors, and is permanently 
resident. The male makes a singular bellowing noise. The 
nest is formed of sedges and other plants, and the eggs, four 
or five, are elliptical, and olivaceous-grey. It is with diffi- 
culty started, flies slowly, and soon alights. Its food consists 
of small fishes, frogs, lizards, and insects. The bronchi, al- 
though wide, scarcely exceed those of any other birds of this 
family. 
