78 REMARKS ON THE BITTERNS. 



At sight, or perhaps hearing, of. an enemy, they either run off with considerable 

 speed, threading the interstices of the reeds, and insinuating themselves with ease 

 through extremely narrow passages, which renders them difficult to flush ; and, 

 if at length they rise, fly heavily to only a short distance, with neck extended, 

 and legs drooping ; reminding one forcibly of the Rallidce (though sometimes they 

 will soar spirally till lost to the view) ; or they lie close, instinctively trusting to 

 the resemblance of their tints to that of the surface , and, if discovered, boldly 

 await the attack, crouching and puffing their whole plumage, and opening the 

 wings, so as to present a complete ball of feathers to their adversary ; the neck 

 being at the same time retracted, and head held very low, with the beak pointing 

 upwards, and the smooth feathers of the crown appearing (as usual) continuous 

 with the back plumage, which latter is raised high. This has erroneously been 

 represented as their common attitude of rest.* Upon attack, they dart the bill 

 upward, invariably aiming at the eye of their assailant ; and have many times 

 been known to blind a Dog with this powerful and sharp-pointed weapon ; when 

 they run, it is to seek a place of concealment ; and our native species has been 

 known to turn and stand at bay with a Water Spaniel. Indeed few Dogs will 

 renew the contest with it after receiving one or two thrusts of its bill. Several 

 oil paintings (no doubt commemorative of the witnessed fact) represent this 

 bird, and also the Heron, as having transfixed the Falcon in its impetuous 

 descent ; and from what I have seen of the Bittern's upward thrust, when on the 

 ground, I have no doubt whatever that this is its constant endeavour when 

 pursued by a Falcon ; for which reason the latter, most generally, strikes at the 

 pinion of its quarry, which, I am fully aware, when gradually descending 

 wounded, makes no further attempt at defence till it reaches the ground. The 

 pursuit of the Bittern was eagerly followed in days of yore, not only on account 

 of the elegant manner in which it endeavoured to soar spirally above its enemy, 

 but for the excellency of its flesh, which is still held in estimation ; as is also 

 that of the transatlantic species by the Anglo-Americans. I can myself bear 

 testimony to its goodness, and freedom from any kind whatever of unpleasant 

 flavour. 



From their size and sluggish flight, when forced to take wing, these birds 

 present an easy mark to the gunner ; and a small charge of shot suffices to bring 

 one down, on account of the extreme slightness of its frame, common, as before 

 stated, to all the Ardeidce ; though at the same time they are very tenacious of 

 life. If only slightly disabled, however, it quickly throws itself on its back, and 

 defends itself so desperately with both beak and claws, as to require considerable 

 caution in the handling ; it never attempts to strike with the former dangerous 



* Vide Regne Animal. 



