96 
allen’s naturaljst's liekary. 
gentleman who shot it about thirteen years ago, and it has been 
met with in nearly all our southern and western counties, as 
well as in Scotland and Ireland. 
Range outside tlie British Islands. — The American Bittern breeds 
over the greater partof Nortli America from Canada to Texas, 
and has even been found as far north as the Arctic Ocean 
and on the Mackenzie River. It winters in Central America 
and the West Indies. It has never occurred on the Conti- 
nent of Europe, but one example was procured in Guernsey 
in October, 1870. ^ 
Hahits,— These are very similar to those of our Common 
Bittern, and in the breeding-season it has a peculiar note like 
pomp-au-gor. It is also called “Stake ” or “ Post-driver,” from 
its note resembling the noise made by driving a stake in 
boggy soil. Another rendering by Mr. Samuels is chtmk-a- 
hntk-chimk, guank-chiiftk-a-I/ink-chunk. Dr. Coues writes 
“ When the Bittern is disturbed at his meditations, he <rivcs 
a vigorous spring, croaks at the moment in a manner hfghly 
expressive of his disgust, and flies off as fast as he can, though 
m a rather loose, lumbering way. For some distance he flaps 
heavily with dangling legs and outstretched neck ; but when 
settled on his course he proceeds more smoothly, with regular 
measured wing-beats, the head drawn in closely, and the“legs 
stretched straight out behind together, like a rudder He is 
very easily shot on the wing— easily hit, and drops at a touch 
even of fine dust-shot. When winged, he croaks painfully as 
he drops, and no sooner does he touch the ground than he 
gathers himself in defensive attitude to resist aggression as best 
he can. 
“ 1 he food of this bird consists of various kinds of small 
aquatic animals. In its stomach may be found various mol- 
luscs, crawfish, frogs, lizards, small snakes and fishes, as well as 
insects. Such prey is caught with great address by spearing 
as the bird walks or wades stealthily along. The thrust of the 
bill :s marvellously quick and skilful— more action is displayed 
on such occasions than probably under any other circum- 
stances.” 
Nest. — Of dead rushes, on the ground qr in trees at a slifrlu 
elevation. ‘ ^ 
