NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Modes of defence Extraordinary noise. 



to retreat, sometimes with a fatal wound. Old 

 buzzards never attempt to attack the bittern ; and 

 the common falcons always endeavour to rush 

 upon it behind, while it is on the wing. 



When wounded by the sportsman, this bird 

 often makes a severe resistance. It does not re- 

 tire ; but waits his onset, and gives such vigorous 

 pushes with his bill, as to wound the leg even 

 through the boot. Sometimes it turns on its 

 back, like the rapacious birds, and fights with 

 both its bill and claws. When surprised by a 

 dog, it is said always to throw itself in this pos- 

 ture. Mr. Markwick once shot a bittern in 

 frosty weather : it fell on the ice, which was just 

 strong enough to support the dogs, and they im- 

 mediately rushed forward to attack it ; but being 

 only wounded, it defended itself so vigorously 

 that the dogs were compelled to leave it, till it 

 was fired at a second time and killed. 



During the months of February and March, 

 the males make a kind of deep lowing noise in 

 the mornings and evenings. It is impossible for 

 words to give those who have not heard this 

 evening call an adequate idea of its solemnity. 

 It is like the interrupted bellowing of a bull, but 

 more hollow and louder, and is heard at a mile's 

 distance, as if issued from some formidable being 

 that resided at the bottom of the waters. This 

 extraordinary noise, is produced by a loose mem- 

 brane, situated at the divarication of the trachaea, 

 capable of great extension, which can be filled 



