BITTERNS 
65 
Distribution. The warmer parts of eastern and western hemispheres. In Canada 
irregularly common from the east coast throughout the southern prairies to Saskatchewan. 
There is only one record for British Columbia, Okanagan Lake, although the bird is 
not uncommon in central Washington. 
SUBSPECIES. Occurs in both eastern and western hemispheres. The American 
Black-crowned Night Heron (le Kouac, le Heron Bihoreau d’Amerique) is subspecifically 
distinct from that of the Old World under the name Nycticorax nyclicorax hoactli. 
The Black-crowned Night Heron is a somewhat heavily built heron. 
Though not without beauty and grace it lacks the fine, slender lines of most 
of the herons and resembles the bittern in build as well as habit. 
203. Yellow-crowned Night Heron, le heron de nuit a couronne d’or. Nyctan- 
assa violacea. L, 23. About the size of the previous species or the American Bittern 
Adult generally slate-grey with 
conspicuously white patched head and 
face. Juvenile very similar to juvenile 
of preceding species. 
Distinctions. The adult is quite 
distinctive. The juvenile is rather 
like an American Bittern, but shows 
no strong yellow and the back has no 
vermiculated pattern. It may take 
careful work to separate it from the 
juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron. 
The bill is shorter and heavier and the 
tarsus is decidedly longer than the 
middle toe and claw instead of being 
of same length or shorter. 
Distribution. Warm, temperate, 
and tropical America, lias occurred, 
very rarely, in southern Nova Scotia 
and near Toronto, Ontario. 
Subfamily — Botaurinae. Bitterns 
General Description. Marsh-inhabiting, heron-like birds of heavier and less graceful 
build and habit than the true herons. 
Distinctions. Though forming a well-marked subfamily they are difficult to define 
in a non-technical explanation. W e have but two species under consideration. The Least 
Bittern is so small, only 13 inches long, as to be unmistakable for any other Canadian 
heron-like wader. The American Bittern with its strongly ochraceous 
yellow coloration and size can be confused only with the juvenile 
Night Heron (See that species). 
Bitterns are bog and marsh haunters. They do not 
frequent wide, open reaches of water, but drop down in 
the middle or on the edges of grass or reed-grown marshes, 
stalking their prey by silent approach through the close 
cover. 
190. American Bittern, marsh hen. thunder-pump, stake- 
driver. le butor d’amjSrique. Botaurus lentiginosus. L, 28. 
Plate IV A. 
Distinctions. With its size, general yellowish coloration with fine 
vermiculation and pattern above, this bird can be mistaken for no 
other Canadian species. It is most like the juvenile Night Heron, 
but a comparison of Plates IV A and III B will show that the latter 
has no pattern on the back, or only a simple one, whereas this bittern 
shows a very fine and intricate vermiculated design. The black line 
from the sides of the face may be present or absent, regardless of 
in breeding display, sex, age, or season. 
Figure 105 
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (adult); scale, J. 
