70 
ALTRICIAL GRALLATORES — HERODIONES. 
On Long Island, the Bittern is generally known by the name of the “ Indian Pul- 
let,” being reputed to have been one of the favorite birds of the Indians. It is more 
commonly known as the “ Look-up,” from its habit, when standing on the marshes, 
of elevating its head. It does not move about much by day, although it is not strictly 
nocturnal, but is sometimes seen flying low over the meadows, in pursuit of short- 
tailed or meadow mice, which are frequently taken whole from its stomach. It also 
feeds on fish, frogs, lizards, etc. Late in the season its flesh is held in high esteem. 
It can rarely be procured in any great number, and only when the marshes are over- 
flowed by unusually high tides. According to Giraud, it is hunted in boats, much 
after the manner adopted in the pursuit of the Bail. On ordinary occasions it is a 
difficult bird to flush. The instant it becomes aware that it has attracted the atten- 
tion of the fowler, it lowers its head, runs quickly through the grass, and when again 
seen, is usually in a different direction from that taken by its pursuer, whose move- 
ments it closely watches. When thus pursued it seldom exposes more than its head. 
When wounded it makes a vigorous resistance, erects the feathers on the head and 
neck, extends its wings, opens its bill, and puts on a fierce expression. It will attack 
a dog, or even his master ; and when defending itself directs its sharp bill at its 
assailant’s eye. It never associates with any other species of Heron, and does not 
appear fond of the society of its own kind. It is distributed over the marshes either 
singly or in pairs, and is nowhere abundant. 
Mr. Batty writes that he has taken mice from the stomachs of several ; and from 
one a large field-mouse which had apparently but just been devoured. The mouse 
was rvliole, and had been swallowed head-first. This bird feeds during the day, but 
is more nocturnal than diurnal in its habits. When wounded it drops its wings, raises 
the feathers of the neck in a circle around the head, and then strikes out fiercely with 
its sharp bill. Mr. Batty has met with individuals about Fire Island as late as the 
last of November. 
It is an autumnal visitant of Bermuda, where, as Major Wedderburn states, it is 
to be met with in all the marshes from October until December, and occasionally in 
March. In some seasons it is quite rare. In illustration of its omnivorous habits, 
Mr. Hurdis mentions that in the stomach of one shot in the Pembroke Marshes were 
found an eel six inches long, a mouse, a dragon-fly, a grasshopper, and a portion of a 
small golden carp. 
Mr. Dresser found tins a common resident species in Southern Texas. Mr. J. A. 
Allen mentions it as tolerably common in the Valley of Great Salt Lake, in Septem- 
ber ; and Mr. Bidgway constantly found it in all marshy situations in the interior. 
Specimens were killed in the latter part of September, in Thousand Spring Valley, 
in the northeastern portion of Nevada. Mr. Salvin met with it in Guatemala both at 
Duenas and at Coban. It is also given by Mr. B. Browne in his list of the birds of 
Vancouver. According to Wilson, it was known on the New Jersey sea-coast as the 
DunJcadoo, in supposed imitation of its booming cries. But neither Wilson, Audubon, 
nor Nuttall knew anything as to its nesting; and evidently never saw its egg, their 
descriptions of which are quite incorrect. 
Wilson states that when come upon suddenly, it rises with a callow cry, and may 
then be easily shot; and Audubon refers to its liability to be paralyzed with fear 
when surprised, so that it may even be knocked down with a stick ; but Mr. Everett 
Smith, of Portland, in a paper exhibiting complete familiarity with the habits of this 
species, regards these results as less due to the timidity of the Bittern than to its 
unsuspicious and gentle nature. 
AVilson states that this bird has no booming cry corresponding with that of the 
