366 GEALLATOEES, OE WADING BIRDS. 



The BITTERN (Botaurus) has both the neck and legs shorter than 

 those of the Grey Heron ; its plumage is of a rich reddish yellow, 

 boldly variegated with dark markings. Districts intersected by 

 marshes are the chief places of its resort ; in these it keeps itself 

 hidden all day long among the reeds, motionless and silent. 

 Here, too, it makes its nest, almost on the ground, and close to 

 the water. It does not leave its hiding-place until the evening, 

 and then will fly up to so great a height as to be lost to view. 

 Its call to its mate is peculiar; it resembles the bellowing of a 

 bull, and can be heard more than half a league away. For this 

 reason the ancients called it Bos taurus whence, by corruption, 

 comes the French Butor. 



The Bittern is a very courageous bird ; it will defend itself 

 energetically against any bird of prey, against dogs, and even 

 man. It is found all over Europe. Four British species are 

 described B. stellaris, B. lentiginosus, B. minutus, and B. 

 comatus. 



The CRANE ( Grus), which forms a genus among the Cultrirostres, 

 is characterised by a bill much longer than the head, stout, 

 straight, tapering, compressed, and pointed, but always slightly 

 cleft ; feet long ; tibia bare for a fourth of its length, covered witii 

 hexagonal scales ; toes, four ; back toe short, which does not reach 

 the ground ; wings long and pointed. The Cranes are essen- 

 tially migratory birds, and possess wonderful requisites ; for, in 

 addition to prolonged powers of flight, they enjoy the valuable 

 faculty of being able to endure total abstinence from food for 

 several days a faculty which, we may remark, is common to 

 most of the Wader tribe, though in a less degree. 



There are three species described the Ash- coloured Crane, 

 the Crested Crane, and the Demoiselle Crane. 



The Ash-coloured Crane (Grus cinerea), Fig. 142, is a fine 

 bird, attaining nearly five feet in height. With the exception of 

 the neck, which is black, all the rest of its body is of a uniform 

 ashy- grey colour. The carriage of the bird is noble and graceful, 

 and the feathers on its rump, which rise up in undulating clusters, 

 add much to its elegance. 



These Cranes are periodical visitors to France ; they arrive in 



