THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
are merely bent and trodden into a small platform, and the leaves of the 
reeds used as lining. The clutch is three or four, of a uniform dull slate 
colour.” 
“ The Bitterns when disturbed would stand in their characteristic 
attitude for a while, and then rise and wing their way to another corner 
of the lagoon. On the 9th of October last year [1908, in Tasmania] they 
commenced their ‘ booming ’ calls, and these were continued up to the 
second week in December. I remember early one morning flushing six 
Bitterns from their breakfast of water-reeds. They were all, as far as 
could be seen, adult birds, and made an impressive picture as they flew 
away.”* 
The male bird described was collected at Botany Bay, New South 
Wales, in July, 1899 ; the female at Randwick, in April, 1900. 
* Fletcher, Emu, Vol. IX., p. 79, 1909. 
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