VOL. XIII.] BITTERN IN THE NORFOLK BROADS. 9 



of continuous observation sometimes to elucidate one single 

 point in their life-history. When feeding young the Bittern 

 ceases to be shy and furtive. It is then seen regularly 

 on the wing all day long and pursues its regular Hne of 

 flight to and from its chosen feeding-ground, regardless 

 of noisy yachting parties or busy marshmen. Up to the 

 time of hatching and after the young are fledged I have 

 never seen Bitterns on the wing during the daytime. They 

 may of course be flushed, but when this occurs they merely 

 drop into cover as soon as possible. When family cares 

 absorb its life the Bittern seems quite suddenly to throw aside 

 its habitual reserve and to become not only bold, but also 

 extremely garrulous. When the female rises from the 

 nest she utters the hoarse croaking call-note " aark, aark," 

 and continues calling until she alights on the feeding-ground. 

 She takes from forty to sixty minutes to collect food. She 

 then makes a bee-line for home, calling loudly all the time. 

 When passing overhead, you can see her gullet distended 

 with food. If surprised near the nest, or in any way really 

 alarmed, she swallows the food, and immediately goes off to 

 collect a fresh supply. She does not alight close to the nest, 

 but perhaps 50 or 60 feet away and then walks to the nest. 

 Individual Bitterns vary temperamentally. One may be 

 absolutely fearless and fly to and fro at a fair height, and be 

 visible from any point of vantage. Another will merely 

 skim over the reed-beds and thus frequently escape observation 

 unless your eyes are glued to the marshes. The soft colouring 

 of the Bittern harmonizes completely with the top of the 

 reed-beds in early summer. The dead feathery flower of 

 last year's reeds {Aritndo pragmitis) form a grey-gold belt a 

 few inches above the new season's growth, which does not 

 attain its full height till mid- June. In certain lights, there- 

 fore, a Bittern may easily escape detection when it is just 

 floating over the top of the reed-beds. 



Bitterns resort to the same feeding-grounds for several 

 days in succession, provided there is no alteration in the level 

 of the water. They love a partially silted up dyke where the 

 water is only a few inches deep and where there are sheltering 



