BITTERN Al 
The Bittern is the Botaurus stellaris of ornithology, belonging 
to the Family Ardeidx (HERON), but to a genus fairly separable, 
more perhaps on account of its almost wholly nocturnal habits and 
correspondingly-adapted coloration, than on strictly structural 
grounds, though some differences of proportion are observable. It 
was formerly an abundant bird in many parts of Britain ; but, 
since the reclamation of the bogs and fens it used to inhabit, it is 
become only an irregular visitant, though not a winter passes 
BITTERN,. 
without its appearing in some numbers, when its uncommon aspect, 
its large size, and beautifully - pencilled plumage cause it to be 
regarded as a great prize by the lucky gun-bearer to whom it falls 
a victim. Its value as a delicacy for the table, once so highly 
esteemed, has long vanished. The old fable of this bird inserting 
its beak into a reed or plunging it into the ground, and so causing 
the booming sound with which its name will be always associated, 
is also exploded, and nowadays indeed so few people in Britain 
have ever heard its loud and awful voice, which seems to be 
uttered only in the breeding-season, and is therefore unknown in a 
