BITTERN, Botaarus, according to some modern ornithologists, a genus of the heron (q.v.) family (arde:na); but regarded by as a mere sub-genus of heron (ardea), and not a very well defined one. Bitterns am indeed chiefly distinguished from herons by the long, loose plumage of the neck, which they have the power of erecting at pleas ure, along with the rest of their clothing feathers, so as greatly to increase their apparent size. The back of the neck, however, is merely downy, or almost bare, the long feath ers being on the front and sides. Bitterns also differ from herons in the greater length of their toes, the middle toe being as lotg as the shank. They are almost all :solitary birds, inhabiting reedy and marshy places, where they lie hid during the day, and will almost allow themselves to be trodden upon ere they take wing; they feed during the night: and then, also,-ofteu rise spirally to a great height into the air, and emit loud resounding cries. Their food consists chiefly of frogs, mid partly, also, of fish, lizards, water-insects, etc., and even of small birds and quadrupeds. The claw of -the middle toe is serrated on the inner edge, probably to aid in securing slippery prey. —The COMMON B. (B. stellaris, or ardea stellar') is a bird very widely diffused over the old world, being found in-almost all, at least of the temperate, parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, which are sufficiently marshy for its manner of life. It is now rare in Britain, owing to drainage; but was formerly more common, and in the days of falconry, was 'carefully protected by law in England, on account of the sport which it afforded. Its flesh 'also was in high esteem, and is not rank and fishy, like that of the heronsgenerally. In size, it is rather less than the common heron; the bill is about 4 in. long, the feathers on the crown of the head are greenish black, and the plumage in general of a dull yellow color, beautifully and irregularly marked and mottled with black. The B.
makes a rode nest of sticks, reeds, etc., in its marshy haunts, and lays four or five greenish-brown eggs. It has a peculiar bellowing cry, has obtained for it such English provincial names as mire-drum, bull of the bog, etc., and many of its appella tions in other languages, perhaps even Its name B. (bitour, &tar, batauras). Sonic -naturalists used•to assert that the booming cry of the B. was produccdby the bird insert ing its bill into a reed; that notion, however, has long since been exploded. When assailed, it fights desperately with and claws; and it is dangerous to approach it incautiously when wounded, as it strikes with its long sharp bill, if possible, at the eye. —The LITTLE B. (B. minutus, or ardea minute) is common in sonic parts of Europe, but rare in Britain. Its whole length is only about l3 in.—The AMERICAN B. (B. Iota ginams, or A. lentiginosa), a species almost equal in size to the common B., and very similar to it in habits. and voice, has occasionally been shot. in Britain. It is common in many parts of North America, migrating northward and southward, according to the season. The crown of the head is reddish brown, and tho colors and markings of :the plumage differ considerably from those of the common B.—The LEAST B. (B. or A. exilis) is another North American species, of very small size, which is also migratory. and somewhat social in its habits. The AUSTRALIAN B. (If. or A. austrafix) is generally diffused throughout Australia, wherever marshes or sedgy rivers occur. In habits it closely resembles the B. of Europe. The _head and upper parts generally arc purplish brown, except the wings, which are buff, conspicuously freckled with brown ; the throat, breast, and belly mottled brown and buff.