176 
AN UNFAVOURABLE CHARACTER. 
a locality well concealed and difficult of access. Its structure varies 
considerably, according to the conditions under which its builder 
works. Generally, it rises above the surface of the water, perched 
upon the withered stems of bended reeds ; sometimes it rests on 
a little islet of rushes or a mound of earth ; and sometimes the 
water cradles it softly. At times it is a rude but capacious heap 
of divers materials ; at other times, of smaller size and better con- 
struction, composed externally of reeds, dry leaves, and rushes, and 
lined with dry grasses and reedy tops. 
The bittern receives from Brehm anj'thing but a favourable 
character. Idleness, sluggishness, timidity, wariness, cunning, and 
maliciousness ; such, we are told, are his predominant qualities. 
He lives for himself only, and seems to hate all the rest of animal- 
kind : the lesser creatures are his prey, and he kills them ; the 
greater are his enemies, and if they approach him too closely, so as to 
threaten the sanctity of his Lares and Penates, he attacks them. 
Before an adversary much stronger than himself, he beats a retreat 
as long as possible, — well ! and has not Falstaff said that discretion 
is the better part of valour ? — but, when pushed to an extremity, 
pounces upon him with incredible fury, and deals liis blows with 
equal strength and skill. Man himself is compelled to be on his 
guard, if he would avoid very serious wounds. Capti\"ity does not 
modify his instincts ; young bitterns, carefully trained, exhibit all 
the defects of their free congeners. Their fantastic attitudes and 
bearing are unable to overcome the antipathy which they are not 
slow in awakening. 
This is severe criticism ; and one would like to hear what the 
bittern has to say on the other side of the question ! 
In the beautiful lochs of Scotland, as well as in its streams 
and pools, and in the streams and pools of the less frequented 
districts of England, — wherever the water-lily spreads its broad 
green leaves, or the banks are fringed with flags, and sedges, and 
rushes, the coot leads a meny life, — swimming to and fro in search 
of the molluscs, insects, and succulent blades of grass on which he 
