240 



grotesque. The instant, however, any sound causes it alarm, the whole character of the bird is 

 changed : the neck is stretched to its full length, and every movement betokens caution and 

 vigilance ; unless immediately reassured, it spreads its broad wings and raises itself into the air 

 in a rather awkward manner, with the legs dangling down, but gradually raised to a level with 

 the tail ; the flight then assumes a steady course, often in a broad semicircle, and is maintained 

 by slow and regular flappings. If unmolested, it may be observed stalking knee-deep in the 

 water in search of food, with its neck inclined forward, raising its foot high at every step as if 

 deliberately measuring the ground. A live one brought to me by a native, enclosed in an eel- 

 basket, lived in my possession for a week ; but it refused to take food of any kind, and died of 

 sheer starvation, remaining fierce and untamable to the very last. On being approached it 

 would erect or spread the feathers of the neck and throw forward the wings, thus presenting a 

 very bold front to the enemy. On any object being placed near it, the bird would strike 

 furiously with its pointed bill ; and it made frequent assaults of this kind on the network of its 

 temporary cage. 



The Bittern breeds in swamps, forming its rude nest of raupo and other aquatic vegetation 

 loosely placed together. In the 'Transactions of the New-Zealand Institute' for 1869, there is a 

 good sketch (plate iv. fig. 7) of a nest found by Mr. Potts, near Lake Tripp, which he describes 

 as having a flat top, raised about 6 inches above the water, which was ankle-deep all round. The 

 eggs are usually four in number, although Mr. French, who is an excellent observer, informs me 

 that he once found a nest of five near the Kaiapoi river ; they are of an even or regular ovoido- 

 elliptical form, measuring 2T inches in length by T5 in breadth, and of a uniform pale brownish- 

 olive colour. 





