Copulatory Behavior of the American Bittern

There appears to be almost no detailed information on the behavior associated with copulation in the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus); Palmer (Ed., 1962, Handbook of North American birds, vol. 1, New Haven, Yale Univ. Press) has summarized the fragmentary notes on this species. The comparable behavior of the other three Botaurus species is also undescribed or inadequately known (Hancock and Elliott 1978, The herons of the world, New York, Harper and Row).

PAUL A. JOHNSGARD, unknown