THE BITTERN 



many parts of France and Germany, and the swamps of the Danube and Volga. 

 It should be added that in Africa, India, and Burma the species occurs only in 

 winter, being to some extent migratory in its habits. 



These shy birds associate in pairs, but in migration time collect in parties 

 previous to setting out on their travels. The nest, which is built of reeds and 

 flags, and lined with grass, is well concealed among the brake in which the pair 

 have taken up their residence, and may be a floating structure. The eggs, which 

 are from three to five in number and greenish blue in colour, are incubated solely 

 by the hen, who is supplied with food by her mate. The chicks remain in the nest 

 until fully fledged, and display extraordinary cleverness in making their way among 

 the reeds. 



Little comes amiss to the bittern in the way of food, so long as it is of an 

 animal nature ; and its appetite is so great, that it is on the hunt for prey from 

 sunrise till sunset. Water-rats, field-mice, birds of all kinds, fish, especially those 

 inhabiting muddy water, snakes, lizards, leeches, worms, and insects and their 

 larvae are alike devoured by these voracious birds. 



The usual cry of the bittern is, as already mentioned, a hoarse, raven-like 

 croak ; and it is only during the breeding-season that the male utters the resounding 

 boom, which has been compared to the bellowing of a bull, and on a still night may 

 be heard at a distance of a mile or more. How this wonderful sound is produced 

 is not yet definitely known. 



A wounded bittern is most dangerous to approach, as it will strike with 

 unerring aim at the eye of the gunner who approaches to seize it ; and the 

 formidable beak is likewise employed, and generally with success, to repel the 

 attack of any fox bold enough to approach its owner. 



It should be added that during the hot summer of 191 1 a pair of bitterns 

 bred in the old Norfolk haunts of the species. 



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