Genus BOTAURUS, Selby.
G en . Chan. B i l l strong, rather lo n g e r than th e head ; b o th mandibles o f eqnal length • the
u p p e r su lcated fo r tw o thirds o f its len g th and v e r y g en t ly onrving from the base to the
U p ; tomia o f both mandibles v e r y sharp and fin e ly serrated n ea r the t ip ; lores and orbits •
naked. N o s tr ils basal, linear, lon g itu din al, placed in th e fu r row o f the n'avili» and
p a r t ly covered b y a nak ed membrane. L e g s o f mean length . Toes lo n g an d sler„fer a ll
u n eq u a l ; middle toe o f the same len g th as th e tarsus ; h ind toe lon g , articulated w ith ’the
in ter ior toe on th e same p lan e ; c law s lon g , snbfalcate, that o f th e middle toe pectinated •
fron t o f the tarsus scutella ted ; b a ck p a rt reticulated. W ings lon g , roun d ed ; the first
three q u ills n e a r ly equ al and th e longest.
COMMON BI TTERN.
Bo tau rus stellaris, S tep h .
L e H e ron G ran d Bu tor.
m H H ° f theBri,iSh Islands Were H i and extensive marshes and waste
land afforded the Bittern abundance o f retreats congenial to its habits, it was plentifully distributed over the
country ; but as cultivation has extended and the marshes been drained, its numbers have gradually decreased
aud although not absolutely a rare bird its presence is not always to be reckoned upon, for in one year it
may be tolerably common, and then for several succeeding seasons scarcely to be procured at all
W e have received specimens o f the Common Bittern from Asia and Africa, but we are o f opinion that Europe
done is its native habitat. At the present time it finds sufficient shelter and retreat among the marshes of
Holland and other low countries, where it may fulfill the task bf incubation in comparative security
The Bittern is a solitary aud shy bird, hiding itself in dense masses o f reeds during the day, and seldom
appearing abroad until the evening, when it resorts to ditches and the more open parts of the marshes in
search o f small mammalia, frogs, 1,sards, fishes, and various aquatic insects, retiring again to its retreat when
its wants are satisfied. e
No two birds can better show the necessity o f subdivisions than the Bittern aud the Heron, which have
been until lately classed under cue generic title (Ardeo). They are equally shy and wary, yet each evinces
HI its timidity m a strikingly opposite topmost branches ofhigh trees, or r0Wei manner,"dth0' the lt Heron always choosing as a place o f rest, after feeding the
some élévation where it can Bh perceive the a“approach o f danger; Bittern depends for security upon the covert afforded it by the thick reed-beds W B m Sm d H and other H dense «° while the
masses of con8iderable 8eId<™ *"y great
distance. When wounded or surprised,” says Mr. Selby, “ aud unable to escape, it defends itself with
Vigour and as it always aims at the iyes o f its enemy with its strong and sharp-pointed bill, a consideruble
degree o f caution must be used in capturing it. When attacked by a dog, it throws itself upon its back
and strikes with its claws as well as with its bill ; and in this manner it will keep the most res Jute dog at
bay, as the infhetion o f a stroke or two o f the latter spear-pointed weapon is commonly sufficient to keep him
afterwards at a respectful distance. The Bittern used to afford excellent sport in falconry ; for when flowj
at, it immediately begins to soar, rising in spiral circles, and endeavouring to keep above its enemy. Should
this manoeuvre fail, it then prepares for the descent o f the Hawk by setting its sharp bill perpendicularly
upwards „p0„ which its impetuous antagonist frequently transfixes itself, or is so severely wounded as to be
obliged to give np a second attack. The bellowing or booming noise o f the HBH Bittern is confined to the COm” “ ces I “ I beginning o f March. At this time, on the approach of
M m r'SeS 1 3 ^ d,rectl° " 40 a r a T height, uttering at intervals the peculiar c ry f formerly
heard with superstitious dread.” J "
it fleSh ° f tbe Bitter” WaS eSteemed a ' “ ’“ T ' I even now fetches a good price ■
is dark coloured but not coarse, and partakes o f the flavour o f the hare and that of wild fowl ’
The nest is composed o f sticks, reeds, & c „ and is generally placed near the water’s edge among the thickest
abo H : B 3 I 1 ° r fivC I m" " ber’ ° f a" “ n!forra P“le brown colo,Ir- The young are produced in
te to r i “6 f6d ^ t,,e P!‘re”tS Unli' ft"y flC<,Sed d° ”0t ** thC "" *i" ** -
The sexes are alike in plumage.
r a v e d T t h l l t H H gl0S8ed With bronzy gteen ; feathers o f the occiput margined with pale bnff
rayed w,th black J ; dark b WU * ■from the gape t ■R H a l br° BH broad streak o f blackish brown ; all the upper surface pale buff irregularfr
Wn’ H former H B w » B 8 S' deS ° f tl,e neck barred H freieeereely with
f e ftem „ 7 , ’he ° f mid:8b Br°W” iate™ “ ï k d blackish brown ;
s t r e s s ê f hro T b, t ■ ■ ” arS‘ned U bUffi “ ° der 5“rftce baff wi,b " arrow longitudinal
■ ■ H B | blackl8h br0W" ’ barred with reddisb bro™ l ‘ »il «M e h brown, with
c £ H H i WaCki ° rb,tS aDd a” * les o f tbe m»” tb B H bi" yellowish green, darkest on the
cuimen, legs and feet pale grass green ; claws pale horn colour; irides yellow.
I he Plate represents a male about two thirds o f the natural size.