366 



CITIZEN BIRD 



some very tall grasses and dry flags ; for it was along 

 in the fall, when things were turning brown. I don't 

 know how I ever came to see him ; but when I did, he 

 looked so queer that he almost scared me, and I said to 



the miller, ' Whatever is that ? ' 

 " For a minute he couldn't 

 see anything, and then he said, 

 . 'Pshaw I that's only a 

 i Bittern ; but I do wish 

 1 had my gun.' 



" ' Why doesn't he 

 j move ? ' said I. ' Look 

 at the way he holds 

 his head straight up, 

 like a stick. I'm going 

 round behind him to 

 see Avhat his back 

 ■- looks like.' 



'' ' He's a stupid thing, 

 and thinks we don't see 

 him,' said the miller. I 

 walked round and round 

 until I began to get dizzy, 

 but that bird was all front, and all I could see was his 

 striped breast and neck. Then I saw the miller was 

 laughing. 



'' ' That bird isn't as stupid as he looks,' said he. 

 ' He turns around just as fast as you Avalk, so you won't 

 have a chance to get behind him.' Then Ave heard the 

 calf low, and we went away." 



'' That was a sight worth seeing, my boy," said the 

 Doctor ; " for it is one of the best proofs that birds un- 



American Bittern. 



