GAME BIRDS. 101 



It cannot be, therefore, from its voracious appetites, but its 

 hollow boom, that the bittern is held in such detestation by the 

 vulgar. On hearing the bittern's boom, the villagers presage 

 some sad event, and generally find or make one to succeed it' 

 If any person in the neighbourhood die, they suppose it cannot 

 be otherwise, for the night-raven had foretold it ; but if nobody 

 happen to die, the death of a cow or sheep gives completion to 

 the prophecy. 



Whatever terror it may inspire among the simple, its flesh is 

 greatly in esteem amongst 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 about trod 

 upon, and seems to seek protection rather from concealment than 

 flight. At the latter end of autumn, however, in the evening, its 

 wonted indolence appears to forsake it. It is then seen rising in 

 a spiral ascent, till it is quite lost to the view, making, at the same 

 time, a singular noise, very different from its former boomings. 

 Thus the same animal is often seen to assume different desires, 

 and while the Latins have given the bittern the name of the star- 

 reaching bird (or stellaris}, the Greeks, taking its character from 

 its more constant habits, have given it the title of the lazy. 



When wounded by the sportsman, this bird often makes a 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 its assailant to retire. The eyes of its 

 antagonist are the objects at which it chiefly strikes. 



The bill is of a brown horn-colour above ; the lower mandible 

 and base of the upper, greenish. The mouth is wide, the gape 

 extending beyond the eyes, with a dusky patch on the angle j the 

 irides yellow. The feathers on the top of the head are black, and 

 somewhat depressed ; those on the hind-head, neck, and breast, 

 are long and loose ; the plumage, in general, is of a dull, pale 

 yellow, elegantly variegated with spots ; and bars of black. The 

 greater coverts and quill feathers ferruginous, regularly barred 

 with black ; tail short, consisting of ten feathers ; legs pale green ; 

 toes and claws very long and slender ; the middle claw serrated on 

 the inner edge. The female is rather less, the plumage not so 

 bright, and the feathers on the neck not so long and flowing as on 

 the male. She makes an artless nest, composed chiefly of the 



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