Catesby, Mark. Vol.I, Tab. 78, The Brown Bittern

Mark Catesby (1638 - 1749)Etching with hand color, paper dimensions: approximately 19 x 14 inches From Volume I, Part 4 of Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama IslandsLondon: 1731 - 1771 Currently known as the American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus*, Catesby described this subject as follows: ARDEA STELLARIS AMERICANA. The Brown Bittern. This is somewhat less than our English Bittern. The Bill is four Inches long; the End and upper-part of it black, the under-part green. The Eyes are large, having Gold-colour'd Irides, environ'd with a green Skin. The whole Body is brown, with a Mixture of white Feathers; the Back being darker. The Breast and Belly more white. Most of the large Wing-Feathers are white at the Ends. The Tail is short and of a Lead-Colour. The Legs and Feet are of a yellowish Green. The outer and middle Toe are joined by a Membrane. The interior Side of the middle Toe is serrated. These Birds frequent fresh Rivers and Ponds in the upper Parts o