BRITISH BIRDS. 



49 



abode, and from whence it will not stir, unless 

 disturbed by the sportsman. When it changes its 

 haunts, it removes in the dusk of the evening, and 

 then, rising in a spiral direction, soars to a vast 

 height. It flies in the same heavy manner as the 

 Heron, and might be mistaken for that bird, were 

 it not for the singularly resounding cry which it 

 utters, from time to time, while on the wing; but 

 this cry is feeble when compared to the hollow 

 booming noise* which it makes during the night, 

 in the breeding season, from its swampy retreats. 



The Bittern, when attacked by the Buzzard, or 

 other birds of prey, defends itself with great 

 courage, and generally beats off such assailants; 

 neither does it betray any symptoms of fear, when 

 wounded by the sportsman, but eyes him with a 

 keen undaunted look, and, when driven to ex- 

 tremity, will attack him with the utmost vigour, 

 wounding his legs, or aiming at his eyes with its 

 sharp and piercing bill. It was formerly held in 

 much estimation at the tables of the great. 



Like the Heron, it lives upon water animals, for 

 which it patiently watches, unmoved, for hours 

 together. 



" The Bittern booms along the sounding marsh, 

 Mixed with the cries of Heron and Mallard harsh." 



VOL. If. 



