The Bittern. 33 



into the densest portion of the reed thickets, where it is hard to put up again. 

 Even when a dog is sent to flush it, and the reeds are high and dense, it will 

 climb up above the surface of the mud, or water, amongst the reeds, and trust 

 thus to escape observation. It does not appear to pass the day in sleep ; or at 

 least it sleeps very lightly, as its call may at times be heard, and the rustling 

 amongst the reeds and flags seems to indicate that it is moving about; but only 

 after sunset does it appear to become more active, and bestir itself in search of 

 food. Its position when seated amongst the reeds is peculiar, and I have more 

 than once come across one sitting without at first realizing that it was not an old 

 stump or a bundle of dried flags. Sometimes the feathers are as if drawn in ; and 

 as the bird sits with its head pointed upwards, it is hard to believe that it can 

 be a living bird. But it does not always look so peculiarly thin and stake-like ; 

 for when sitting at ease it frequently puffs the feathers out rather than draws 

 them in ; and although the neck is curved, as most of the Herons frequently hold 

 it, yet the heavy feathering on the neck hides the contour, and makes it appear 

 as if it were a short, thick-necked bird; and should it suddenly stretch its neck, 

 it shoots out as from a scabbard, and one cannot help being astonished at its 

 great length so suddenly displayed. 



"When winged or wounded it is by no means an easy task to get hold of it; 

 for it defends itself with great pluck and determination, throwing itself back and 

 using bill and claws as weapons of defence, and I have seen a dog get considerably 

 the worst of it in an attack on a wounded bird." Under these circumstances it 

 also erects its great neck frill, to swell its size and add to its terrifying appearance. 



Vol. IV. 



