THE BITTERN. 127 



Habits Precautions Intrepidity. 



The bittern is a very retired bird ; dwelling 

 chiefly among the reeds and rushes of exten- 

 sive marshes, where it leads a solitary life, hid 

 equally from the hunter whom it dreads, and 

 the prey that it watches. It frequently conti- 

 nues for whole days about the same spot, and 

 seems to look for safety only in privacy and in- 

 action. In the autumn it changes its abode; 

 always commencing its journey or change of 

 place at sunset. Its precautions for concealment 

 and security seem indeed altogether directed by 

 care and circumspection. It usually sits in the 

 reeds with its head erect ; by which means, from 

 the great length of the neck, it sees over their 

 tops, without being itself perceived by the. 

 sportsman. 



Its principal food during summer consists of 

 fish and frogs ; but in the autumn in resorts to 

 to the woods in pursuit of mice, which it seizes 

 with great dexterity, and always swallows whole. 

 About this season it usually becomes very fat. 



The bittern, in its general disposition, is not 

 so stupid as the heron, but it is much more fero- 

 cious. When caught, it exhibits much rancor, 

 and strikes chiefly at the eyes of its antagonist. 

 Pew birds make so cool a defence; it is never 

 itself the aggressor ; but, if once attacked, it 

 fights with the greatest intrepidity. If darted on 

 by a bird of prey, it does not attempt to escape ; 

 but, with its sharp beak erected, receives the 

 shock on the point, and thus compels its enemy 



