BITTERN. 103 



Naturalis Orcadensis,' say that since then they have met with 

 no record of its appearance in the islands. 



Bitterns occasionally breed in this country, and some on 

 the other hand remain throughout the winter, but for the 

 most part it would appear that they are migratory, arriving 

 in March and April, and departing in September and October. 

 Thomas Eyton, Esq., of Eyton, in his 'Fauna of Shropshire,' 

 mentions a hatch of these birds as having come off at Cosford 

 Pool, in that county. Another pair built at Tonglake, near 

 Albrighton, also in Salop. An egg was once obtained at 

 Ranworth, in Norfolk! In Ireland, too, the late William 

 Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, has said that some breed in the 

 most extensive bogs, and are occasionally met with elsewhere, 

 but that the birds are becoming gradually more scarce. 



During the day they conceal themselves among the flags, 

 rushes, reeds, and other rank vegetation that prevails in the 

 damp districts, which afford them security and shelter those 

 wild plants that grow by the side of the lazy pool, and those 

 that adorn the bank of the sequestered stream 'that whimples 

 doon the glen.' At times they are found in woods. They 

 are formidable if attacked at close quarters, the sharp bill 

 giving hard and severe blows. To defend themselves against 

 a dog, they will throw themselves on their backs, and strike 

 with their claws as well as with their bill, both weapons of 

 considerable power. They were formerly in some estimation 

 as an article of food for the table, especially the young, and 

 even still command a good price. They were also in esteem 

 in falconry, as their habit is, when flown at, to rise high in 

 the air, ascending in spiral circles, endeavouring to keep 

 above their enemy. Selby adds, 'Should this manceuvre fail, 

 it then prepares for the descent of the Hawk, by setting its 

 sharp bill perpendicularly upwards, upon which its impetuous 

 antagonist frequently transfixes itself, or is so severely wounded, 

 as to be obliged to give up a second attack.' 



They are of solitary habits, and while lying close in their 

 quarters, the head resting upon the shoulders, bent back 

 somewhat in the shape of the letter S, will frequently allow 

 themselves to be almost trodden upon before they take wing 

 or endeavour to escape. Their usual position is 'couchant,' 

 with the body erect, and the head, neck, and bill pointed 

 upwards. 



Bewick says that the Bittern, when attacked by the Buzzard, 

 or other birds of prey, defends itself with great courage, and 



