AVES— BITTERN. 633 



bittern. It is impossible for words to give those who have not heard this 

 evening call, an adequate idea of its solemnity. It is like the interrupted 

 bellowing of a bull, but hollower and louder, and is heard at a mile's dis- 

 tance, as if issuing from some formidable being that resided at the bottom 

 of the waters. 



The bird, however, that produces this terrifying sound is not so big as a 

 heron, with a weaker bill, and not above four inches long. It differs from 

 the heron chiefly in its color, which is, in general, of a palish yellow, spot- 

 ted and barred with black. Its windpipe is fitted to produce the sound for 

 which it is remarkable ; the lower part of it dividing into the lungs, is sup- 

 plied with a thin loose membrane, that can be filled with a large body of air, 

 and exploded at pleasure. These bellowing explosions are chiefly heard 

 from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn ; and, however awful 

 they may seem to us, are the calls to courtship, or connubial felicity. 



This bird, though of the heron kind, is yet neither so destructive, nor so 

 voracious. It is a retired, timorous animal, concealing itself in the midst 

 of reeds and marshy places, and living upon frogs, insects, and vegetables ; 

 and though so nearly resembling the heron in figure, yet differing much in 

 manners and appetites. It lays its eggs in a sedgy margin, or amidst a tuft 

 of rushes, and composes its simple habitation of sedges, the leaves of water- 

 plants, and dry rushes. It lays generally seven or eight eggs of an ash- 

 green color, and in three days leads its little ones to their food. The bitterns 

 defend their young with such courage, that even the hawk does not often 

 venture to attack their nest. 



At the latter end of autumn, however, in the evening, the wonted indo- 

 lence of the bittern appears to forsake it. It is seen rising in a spiral ascent 

 till it is quite lost from the view, and makes at the same time a singular 

 noise, very different from its former boomings. 



The flesh of the bittern is greatly in esteem among the luxurious. For 

 this reason, it is as eagerly sought after by the fowler as it is shunned by 

 the peasant ; and as it is a heavy rising, slow-winged bird, it does not often 

 escape him. Indeed, it seldom rises but when almost trod upon; and seems 

 to seek protection rather from concealment than flight. 



"When wounded by a sportsman, this bird often makes severe resistance. 

 It does not retire ; but waits the onset, and gives such vigorous pushes with 

 its bill, as to wound the leg through the boot. Sometimes it turns on its 

 back, like the rapacious birds, and fights with both its bill and claws. When 

 surprised by a dog, it is said always to throw itself into this posture and 

 defend itself so vigorously, as to compel the assailant to retire. The eye* 

 of its antagonist are the object at which it chiefly strikes. 

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