388 THE BITTERN. 
While engaged in its search for food, the Heron stands on the water's edge 
mostly with its feet or foot immersed, and there remains still, as if carved out 
of wood, with its neck retracted, and its head resting between the shoulders. 
In this attitude its sober plumage and total stillness render it very incon- 
spicuous, and as it mostly prefers to stand under the shadow of a tree, bush, 
or bank, it cannot be seen except by a practised eye, in spite of its large size. 
The long beak of the Heron is very sharp and dagger-like, and can be 
used with terrible force as an offensive weapon. The bird instinctively aims 
its blow at the eye of its adversary, and if incautiously handled is sure to 
deliver a stroke quick as lightning at the captor’seye. The beak of a species 
of Heron set upon a stick is used by some savage tribes as a spear. 
DEMOISELLE CRANE.—(Scops Virgo.) HERON.—(.4 rea stra.) 
The nest of the Heron is almost invariabiy built upon some elevated spot, 
mostly the top of a large tree, but sometimes on rocks near the coast. It is 
a large and rather clumsy-looking edifice, made of sticks and lined with 
wool, The eggs are from four to five in number, and their colour is pale green. 
THE BITTERN is now seldom seen in this country, partly because it is a 
rare bird and becoming scarcer almost yearly. and partly hecause its habits 
are nocturnal, and it sits all day in the thickest reeds or other aquatic vege- 
tation. The marshy grounds of Essex seem to be the spots most favoured 
by this bird at the present day, although specimens are annually killed in 
various parts of the country. 
In habits and food, the Bittern resembles the heron. except that it feeds by 
night instead of by day. Like that bird, it uses its long sharp beak as a 
weapon of offence, and chooses the eye of its adversary as the point at 
which to aim. The feet and legs are also powerful weapons, and when dis- 
abled from flight, the Bittern will fling itself on its back and fight des- 
perately with foot and bill. 
The nest of the Bittern is placed on the ground near water, and concealed 
among the rank vegetation that is found in such localities. It is made of 
sticks and reeds, and generally contains about four or five pale brown eggs, The 
