A dictionary of British birds : reprinted from Montagu's Ornithological dictionary, and incorporating the additional species described by Selby; Yarrell, in all three editions, and in natural-history journals / compiled and edited by Edward Newman.
- George Montagu
- Date:
- 1866
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A dictionary of British birds : reprinted from Montagu's Ornithological dictionary, and incorporating the additional species described by Selby; Yarrell, in all three editions, and in natural-history journals / compiled and edited by Edward Newman. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![BELTED laNGFISHEK. are assured by an officer that it was not uncommon about Badajos, where he ob- seiwed a considerable number flying about like Swallows, but that they frequently pitched, and assembled together in trees in the gardens. This was in the spring of the year 1811, whUe the aUied army was encamped before Badajos. [Belted Kingfisher.—See Kingfisher, Belt- ed.] Bemacle.—See Goose, Brent; and Goose, Bernacle. [Bewick’s Swan.—See Swan, Bewick’s.] Bilcock.—See Eail, Water. [Billybiter.—See Titmouse, Blue.] Bitter-Bum.—See Bittern. Bittern.— [Yarrell, ii. 571; Hewitson, Ixxxiii. 316.] Ardea stellaiis, Lin. Syst. i. p. 239, 21; Gmel. Syst. ii. p. 646; Raii Syn. p. 100, A. 11; Will. p. 207, t. 50, 52 ; Lath. Syn. Sup. ii. p. 300, No. 7; Bewick, Br. Birds, 11, t. p. 47. Le Butor, Buf. vii. p. 411, t. 21. Bittern, Br. Zool. ii. No. 174; lb. fol. 711, t. A. 1; Will. Angl. p. 282; Albin. i. t. 68; Hayes, Br. Birds, t. 19; Lath. Syn. v. p. 56, 17; Tb. Sup. p, 234; Ind. Orn. ii. p. 680, 18; Lewin, Br. Birds, iv. t. 146; Wale. Syn. ii. t. 127; Pult. Cat. Dorset, p. 14. Botaums, Bris. V. p. 444, 24, t. 37, f. 1; Ib. 8vo. ii. p. 327. Provincial: Bittour; Bumpy-coss; Butter- bump ; Miredrum; Bog-bumper; Bitter- bum ; Bumble.— This species of Heron is rather less than tlie common Heron; length about two feet and a half. The bill is four inches long, of a brown hom-coloiu’ above; the lower mandible, and base of the upper, greenish; irides yellow. The feathers on the top of the head are black; those on the hind-head, neck, and breast are long and loose ; the plumage, in gene- ral, is of a dull pale yellow, elegantly variegated with spots, and bars of black; the greater coverts and quOl-feathers fer- ruginous, regularly barred with black; tail short; legs pale green; toes and claws very long and slender; the middle claw serrated on the inner edge. The female is rather less, the plumage not so bright, and the feathers on the neck not so long and flowing as in the male. The Bittern is by no means a plentiful species. In the breeding season it is only found in the less-frequented reedy marshes, and swampy moors well clothed with rushes, where it forms a nest on some tump, by collecting a quantity of sedge or other coarse plants together. It lays four or five eggs of a | light olive-green colour, inclining to cine- reous. At this season the male makes a singular bellowing noise, vulgarly supposed to be produced by the bu'd putting his bill into a reed. It is roused with difficulty from its lurking-place, flies heavily, and frequently lights again at a small distance; so that it becomes an easy prey to the sportsman. We are informed, however, that sonaetimes it soars to a prodigious height in the air, with a spiral ascent, making at the same time a singular noise. In the winter these birds leave the more mountainous swamps, where it is probable the greater paid breed, and become more scattered in the low moist situations, and in severe weather are found in the sedgy banks of rivers and streams of water. It is, however, become much more scarce than formerly, since its flesh has been accounted a delicacy; and the poulterers value it at not less than half a guinea. The principal food of this bii-d is small fish, frogs, and insects; the warty lizard also becomes its prey, as we have found by dissection. SuppnLEMENT.—The occasion of the bel- lowing noise made by this bird, particularly in the breeding season, is suppos^ to be a loose membrane at the divarication of the trachea, capable of great distention, and which can be fiUed with air and exploded at pleasure. Doctor Latham informs us, that Mr. Lamb had observed this structure in several he dissected. Whether this membrane has a direct communication with the trachea, independent of the lungs, is not noticed. If it is only an enlargement of the membrane, that in many birds is observed within the thorax, close to the clavicles, it is a part of that conformation which constitutes the au cells so peculiar to birds. The aspera arteria of those we have dissected had nothing very remark- able, and certainly had no communication with the interior of the body but through the lungs. If this membrane is a part of the bronchiee of the trachea, ours were not capable of any great extension; the inte- rior part of the divarications is wholly membranous of a very fine texture; and the exterior sides are furnished with very slender cartilaginous bars, for they do not suiTound the bronchial tubes of the trachea. This membranous structure of the part in question is by no means uncommon in other species. In fact the propagation of sound, and dififerent notes in animals, is at present very imperfectly understood ; and the curious conformation observed in the trachea of some species of birds, rather puzzle than confirm any h3q)othesis upon the subject. If we were to reason mecha- nically, we might conclude that the laby- rinth at the lower exti-emity, or the](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28089935_0038.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
