BITTERN. GRALLATORES. BOTAURUS. 31 



of the island are not birds permanently resident, but such as 

 visit us during the course of their migration from other 

 countries ; as the instances of their being taken now general- 

 ly occur during the later autumnal or the winter months. 

 This has been particularly the case in the present winter 

 (1830-1), during which a more than usual number of Bit- 

 terns has been killed in various parts of the kingdom ; and 

 I am credibly informed, that no less than ten were exposed 

 for sale in one morning at Bath. 



The habits of the Bittern are solitary, and, being a night- Habits. 

 feeding bird, it remains quiet during the day, concealed in 

 the reeds and long herbage of its marshy haunts. In this 

 state, it generally sits closely squatted, with the neck bent, 

 so that the head rests between the shoulders ; and, when thus 

 dosing, and digesting the meal of the previous night, it will 

 frequently allow itself to be nearly trodden upon before it 

 will take wing, or endeavour to escape ; and even when 

 roused, it seldom flies to any considerable distance. When 

 wounded or surprised, and unable to escape, it defends itself 

 with vigour, and as it always aims at the eyes of its enemy 

 with its strong and sharp-pointed bill, a considerable degree 

 of caution must be used in capturing it. When attacked by 

 a dog, it throws itself upon its back, like the Owls and other 

 raptorial birds, and strikes with its claws as well as with its 

 bill ; and in this manner it will keep the most resolute dog 

 at bay, as the infliction of a stroke or two of the latter spear- 

 like weapon is commonly sufficient to keep him afterwards 

 at a respectful distance. The Bittern used to afford excel- 

 lent sport in falconry ; for when flown at, it immediately be- 

 gins to soar, rising in spiral circles, and endeavouring to 

 keep above its enemy. Should this manoeuvre fail, it then 

 prepares for the descent of the Hawk, by setting its sharp 

 bill perpendicularly upwards, upon which its impetuous an- 

 tagonist frequently transfixes itself, or is so severely wound- 

 ed a to be obliged to give up a second attack. The bellow- 

 ing or booming noise of the Bittern is confined to the pair- 



