SUN-BITTERN. 
469 
brownish white; the quills clear grey, mottled with white and black, and barred 
with brown; while the tail-feathers are similarly coloured, but distinguished by 
the broad bands of black passing posteriorly into brown. The iris is red, the beak 
waxy yellow, and the leg straw-coloured. This bird, which has not been inaptly 
compared to a large, broad-winged butterfly when in flight, always frequents the 
wooded banks of rivers, and is especially common on the Orinoco. Frequently 
solitary, although occasionally seen in pairs, the sun-bittern derives its name from 
SUN-BITTERN, 
its habit of basking in sunny spots, where it delights to spread out its plumage. 
Its food consists of flies and other insects, which are sought on the ground and 
low herbage; the bird at such times being in constant motion, with its head 
darting here and there, and but seldom taking to flight. In capturing insects it 
suddenly darts out its head with lightning-like rapidity, and scarcely ever fails 
in its aim. The nest is usually placed in a tree, at a distance of a few feet from 
the ground; the eggs being two in number, and of a greyish colour, with blotches 
and specks of reddish. 
