(96) 



THE OPEN-BILL. 



THERE is a flrange bird of the heron family fin fliape at leaft), 

 whofe peculiarity is denoted by his namej his bill is, in fa6t, operi 

 and gaping during two-thirds of its length j the upper and lower man- 

 dible equally bending outwards, leave between them a large vacancy, 

 and only join at the tip of the bill : the bird inhabits India ; has the leg 

 and feet of a heron ; his wing feathers black ; the reft of his plumage 

 clear afh-colour; his bill blackifh at the root, the reft white or yellowifli, 

 thicker and larger than the heron's ; fize of the bird fourteen or fifteen 

 inches. His manners unknown. 



THE BITTERN 



IS famous for its fonorous voice, which refembles the bellowing of a 

 bull, but hollower and louder, as if ifluing from a cavern, or from 

 fome formidable enemy being refident at the bottom of the waters ; the 

 females run to this cry, fometimes a dozen ; he ftruts round them, and 

 drives off intruders. 



"" Is not fo big as a heron, with a weaker bill of the fame form ; very 

 deeply divided beyond the eyes ; four inches long; ftiorter legsj its neck 

 clofely fet with feathers, thereby feeming thicker ; throat capable of 

 great extenfion; bill and feet greenifti; toes long : differs alfo in colour, 

 ■which is generally palifti yellow, fpotted and barred with black. To 

 produce the found for which it is remarkable, the lower part of its 

 wind-pipe, at dividing into the lungs, is fupplied with a thin loofe mem- 

 brane, capable of holding a large quantity of air, and exploding it at 

 pleafure. Thefe explofions are heard from fpring to the end of autumn. 

 It hides in the (edges by day, and calls in the evening, booming fix 

 or eight times, hi-rhoud, then difcontinuing for ten or twenty minutes, 

 then renewing this peculiar found, audible at above a mile diftant; but 

 only when undifturbed and at liberty. When its retreats are invaded, 

 it is filent : in domeftic captivity, under the control of man, it is mute, 

 and never utters this call ; is incapable of attachment or inftruftion. It 

 fcreams generally upon feizing irs prey, and fometimes through fear. 

 When attacked, defends himfelf by ttriking at the eyes ; conquers birds 



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