250 The Bittern and Spoonbill. 
as ma} be imagined, and there " the boom of the Bittern was 
heard in the land " frequently, and Spoonbills could be found 
on the shores searching for mollusca. In these days the Bit- 
tern's " boom " is rarely heard and the Spoon"biIl is chiefly 
conspicuous by its absence. Cultivation of the land, and the 
zest of the collector have combined to drive these birds to the 
countries where they can dwell in comparative peace. 
The Bittern is of a retiring disposition, remaining amid 
the shelter of the reeds during the day, and becoming more 
lively as darkness advances. Then it sets forth to seek food, 
which is of a " variety most chamiing " — small fishes, mammals, 
birds, and frogs. The Bittern does not often fly, and, if driven 
to use its wings, it is but for a short distance, vvlicn again it 
will seek shelter amid friendly reeds. 
During the day it can sometimes be mistaken for a 
reed or a stick, standing up very straight and trim by elongat- 
ing its body and neck, until it actually resembles a serviceable 
walking stick ! Nobody who has not seen one of these curious 
birds can understand how well it can hide itself from the most 
lynx-like eyes. I had one for some considerable time in my 
possession. He would stand silent and immovable beside a 
post, and often have I feared he had managed to escape until, 
on searching carefully around his aviary, I had passed 
and re-passed him, standing absolutely still by a post or 
branch. Never a quiver betrayed his presence until I almost 
or quite accidentally touched him, when he became suddenly 
alive and unmistakable I He instantly altered his tactics, when 
he realised he was discovered. He swiftly crouched in the 
curious way as shown in the photo. When disturbed he always 
moved away in this crouching attitude and would slink along 
until he found another hiding place. The Bittern is always 
interesting to study, whether in nature or captivity, but it 
is not a friendly bird as its chief object in life is to keep con- 
cealed, And one has to keep a sharp look-out for its bill, 
which can inflict a very spiteful and painful "jab." You can 
better understand this if you realize that in crouching he has 
shut up his long neck into a sort of concertina shape, and this 
formidable neck and beak can dart sharply and swiftly up- 
wards or forwards without the slightest warning, into a kind 
of spear. Thus you Icarn how very well able he is to defend 
