AMERICAN BITTERN. 
99 
when inflated ; the rectum 4 inches long and 4 twelfths in diameter, its 
anterior extremity rounded, and having a minute papilliform termination, 
only 1 twelfth long. 
The trachea, which is 121 inches long, differs from that of ordinary He- 
rons in being much compressed, especially at its upper and lower extremi- 
ties ; the middle part being less so. It is also proportionally wider, and its 
rings are narrower. At the top its diameter is 5 twelfths, at the middle 4^ 
twelfths, towards the lower part 4f twelfths, at the end 4J twelfths. The 
rings are osseous, in number 180 ; the five lower divided in front and behind, 
and much arched, the last measuring half an inch in a direct line between 
its extremities. The bronchi are in consequence very broad at their com 
mencement, but gradually taper, and are composed of about 18 half rings. 
The contractor muscles are inconspicuous, the sterno-tracheal slender ; and 
there is a single pair of inferior laryngeal, going to the first bronchial ring. 
The aperture of the glottis is 8 twelfths long, without any papillae, but with 
a deep groove behind, and two thin-edged flaps. 
In the digestive organs of this bird, there is nothing remarkably different 
from that of other Herons. The stomach contained remains of fishes and 
large coleopterous insects. The examination of the trachea, bronchi, and 
lungs, would not lead us to suppose that its cry is of the curious character 
represented, although it certainly would induce us to believe it different 
from that of ordinary Herons, which have the trachea narrower, round, and 
with broader and more bony rings. 
Although in external appearance and habits it exhibits some affinity to 
the Rails, its digestive organs have no resemblance to theirs. 
An egg presented by Dr. Brewer of Boston, measures two inches in 
length by one inch and a half, and is of a broadly oval shape, rather pointed 
at the smaller end, and of a uniform dull olivaceous tint. 
