154 BITTERN.
over the back part, which is only covered with thick down; they arc
also capable of being set forward, and then assume the appearance of
a ruff; neck on the back, and the nape, rich brownish buff, irregularly
marked with black and dark reddish brown. Chin, pale buff white;
throat on the centre, pale brown; the breast lias the feathers blackish
binwn in their centres, broadly margined with buff, the lower part buff
with narrow and some wider streaks of dark brown. Back, yellowish
brown buff on the centres of the feathers, forming streaks, the outside
edges black.
The wings have the four first feathers of about the same length,
and, at the same time, the longest in the wing; primaries, mottled
with greyish or brownish black and chesmit brown, darker red than on
the body. Tail, reddish brown, darker red than on the body, variegated
with black; it is composed of ten feathers and is very short. The
Legs, which are thick, short, and feathered down to within half an inch
or three quarters of an inch of the knee, are as the toes, pale green;
the? latter are very pliable. The claws, which are very long and sharp,
pale horn-colour, the middle one pectinated.
The female differs in no essential respect from the male.
The same remark applies to the young of the year. At first they
are covered with an orange yellow down.