BIRDS. 333 



and fleshy, as it i'eeds upon vegetables, when more nourishing 

 food is wanting. 



It cannot be, therefore, from it voracious appetites, but its 

 hollow boom, that the bittern is held in such detestation by the 

 vulgar. I remember, in the place where I was a boy, with what 

 terror this bird's note aflFected the whole village ; they considered 

 it as the presage of some sad event ; and generally found or 

 made one to succeed it. I do not speak ludicrously ; but if any 

 person in the neighbourhood died, they supposed it could not be 

 otherwise, for the night-raven had foretold it ; but if no body 

 happened to die, the death of a cow or a sheep gave completion 

 to the prophecy. 



Whatever terror it may inspire among the simple, its flesh is 

 greatly esteemed among the luxurious. For this reason, it is as 

 eagerly sought after by the fowler, as it is shunned by the pea- 

 sant ; and, as it is a heavy-rising slow^-winged bird, it does not 

 often escape him. Indeed, it seldom rises but when almost trod 

 upon, and seems to seek protection rather from concealment 

 than flight. At the latter end of autumn, however, in the even- 

 ing, its wonted indolence appears to forsake it. It is then seen 

 I'ising in a spiral ascent, till it is quite lost from the view, mak- 

 ing at the same time a singular noise, very difl!erent from its 

 former boomings. Thus the same animal is often seen to as- 

 sume different desires ; and while the Latins have given the bit- 

 tern the name of the star-reaching bird, (or the stellaris,) the 

 Greeks, taking its character from its more constant habits, have 

 given it the title of the on'/o;, or the lazy bird. 



CHAP. VII. 



OK THE SI'OONlill.I,, OR SHOVKLEU. 



As we proceed in our description of the crane kind, birds of 

 peculiar forms oflTer, not entirely like the crane, and yet not so 

 far different as to rank more pro])erly with any other class. 

 Where the long neck and stilt-legs of the crane are foiuid, they 

 make too striking u resemblan<;e not to admit such birds of the 

 nuuibor; and though the bill, or even the toes, should (Mitirely 



