204 



THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



time with its bill pointing up to the sky. as if it were studying the 

 weather.' This I have never noted, but its habit of lying or 

 squatting down with its bill pointing straight up is, I believe, 

 assumed for protective purposes. The bittern frequents marshy 



Bittern. 



ground, Avhich, especially when covered with water, gives ample 

 notice of approaching footsteps. Frequently, on coming round a 

 patch of cover, I have seen what looked like a dried stump of 

 gorse, or a wisp of dried raupo, flax, or rushes, but on closer 

 examination it proved to be a bittern sitting motionless with its 

 bill pointing upwards. On one occasion, I saw a bittern walking 



