WADING BIRDS. 40 1 



being one of those birds that follow the plough in 

 contradiction to the forest varieties which shun the society 

 of man. 



As an example of aquatic, or water-loving birds, 

 which likewise shun his society, and perish before the 

 advancing tide of human progress, the bittern may be 

 cited as a good instance. Formerly the common bittern 

 (Botaurus Stellaris) used to be very plentiful in the 

 British Isles, and their loud booming call note, might 

 be heard resounding at eventide in the vinicity of most 

 extensive swamp lands ; but as cultivation has extended, 

 and the marshes have been drained, so its numbers 

 have progressively decreased, so that it is now almost 

 extinct in these islands. * 



The American variety (Botaurus Lintiginosus], in the 

 same way, has retreated before the human tide, and is 

 now rarely found except in remote regions of swamps 

 and morasses far removed from the habitations of man. 

 We may here perhaps venture to remark, that most of 

 the waders, that is birds which seek their prey while 

 standing in the shallows of marine estuaries, or of inland 

 waters, are usually of a very wild and wary disposition ; 

 we may mention the well-known instances of the heron, 

 (Ardea Cinerea) and the curlew (Numenius Arquata] 

 (of both of which classes of birds there are several 

 varieties), as good examples of this sort. It is very 

 hard to get near any of these birds, unless by approach- 

 ing under some sort of cover ; they are always exceed- 

 ingly watchful and keen of sight, and the moment they 



* History of British Birds, by W. Yarrell, F.L.S., 2nd Edit. 1845, 

 Vol. ii, p. 540. Among other British birds, partially exterminated, we 

 may mention the Crane (Grus Communis], the Capercailzie (Tetrao 

 Urogallus], and the Bustard (Otis Tarda) (See Encvcl. Brit., gth Edit., 

 Vol. iii.). 



VOL. III. 26 



