BRITISH BIRDS 



Living amidst the thick cover of lonely swamps the Bittern leads its solitary 

 life, hiding among the reeds during the day, where it may easily be overlooked 

 owing to the colour of its plumage harmonising so closely with its surroundings. 

 Loth to leave its retreat by taking wing, if approached in its hiding-place the 

 bird will immediately straighten itself out in an upright position, with its bill 

 pointing to the sky, always facing the intruder, but moving so gradually that 

 the motion is hardly perceptible. I have often watched a captive bird carry out 

 this manoeuvre, and was struck with the close resemblance the striped and barred 

 feathering on the neck bore to withered reed-stems. 



As evening deepens the Bittern becomes active, and may be seen passing from 

 one reed-clump to another on noiseless wings. 



The strange aloofness of this bird's character combined with its nocturnal habits, 

 of which little appears to be known, have lent an interest to the Bittern which 

 makes its very name attractive to the bird lover, and it is to be hoped that the 

 attempts it has lately made to re-occupy some of its old haunts during the breeding 

 season will lead to its increase. 



The female resembles the male in colour, but is said by Montagu and others to 

 be smaller. 



