THE BITTERN. , 65 



the kitten to her own young ones, and seemed quite fond of 

 it. Whenever it was taken away she would go for it and take 

 it back again, and the kitten grew up with the pups, and was 

 inseparable from them. Now I call that reason on the part 

 of the bitch, and the desire to make amends for the injury 

 she had done But hark ! what is that ? " 



A low booming sound not unlike the lowing of a bull, but 

 more continued, resounded through the marsh and then ceased. 

 Again the strange note was heard, and the boys looked at one 

 another. 



" What can it be ? " said Jimmy, as the noise again quivered 

 on the moonlit air. 



DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH. 



" I know," said Frank, " it is a bittern. If we can only find 

 its nest we shall be lucky. It does not often breed in England 

 now, although it is often shot here in winter. Let us listen 

 where the sound comes from." 



They listened intently, and after an interval the sound was 

 again repeated. They believed that it came from a reed-covered 

 promontory which ran out into the broad on its eastern 

 shore. 



" Let us take the punt and go over," said Frank ; so they 

 rowed in the direction of the sound. They rowed round the 

 promontory, and penetrated it as far as they could, and all 

 was still and silent, and they discovered nothing. 



Early the next morning they renewed their search, and while 

 they were crashing through the very middle of the reed bed, 



F 



