AMERICAN BITTERN. 
149 
the distinguishing mark is a broad patch of glossy 
greenish-black upon each side of the neck, arising 
below the auriculars, and passing backwards, so as 
nearly to meet at the back of the head. This oc- 
cupies the place of the dark stripe in the European 
bird, but arises much farther back, and is much 
broader. The distribution of this bird has been 
considered as European and American. 
