Independently of tlie European localities above mentioned, the Bittern booms forth its hollow sound in all 
the countries of the Old World north of the equator, wherever suitable situations occur ; in India it is 
as common as it is with us ; it has also been received from China and Japan ; and that it enjoys a still wider 
range is proved by examples from other parts of Asia and from Africa. But it has not yet been discovered 
in America, its place in that country being occupied by an allied species, the Botaurus lentiginosus. 
“The habits of the Bittern,” says Mr. Selby, “are solitary, and, being a night-feeding bird, it remains 
quiet during the day, concealed in the reeds and long herbage of its marshy haunts. In this state it gene- 
rally sits closely squatted, with the neck bent so that the head rests between the shoulders ; and when thus 
dosing and digesting the meal of the previous night, it will frequently allow itself to he nearly trodden 
upon before it will take wing or endeavour to escape ; and even when roused, it seldom flies to any consi- 
derable distance. When wounded or surprised and unable to escape, it defends itself with vigour ; and, as 
it always aims at the eyes of its enemy with its strong and sharp-pointed bill, a considerable degree of 
caution must he used in capturing it. When attacked by a dog, it throws itself upon its back, like the Owls 
and other raptorial birds, and strikes with its claws as well as with its bill ; and in this manner it will keep 
the most resolute dog at bay, as the infliction of a stroke or two of the latter spear-like weapon is commonly 
sufficient to keep him afterwards at a respectful distance. The Bittern used to afford excellent sport in 
falconry; for when flown at, it immediately begins to soar, rising in spiral circles, and endeavouring to keep 
above its enemy. Should this manoeuvre fail, it then prepares for the descent of the Hawk, by setting its 
sharp bill perpendicularly uj)wards, upon which its impetuous antagonist frequently transfixes itself, or is so 
severely wounded as to be obliged to give up a second attack. The bellowing or booming noise of the 
Bittern is confined to the pairing-season, which commences in February or the beginning of March. At 
this time, on the approach of twilight, it leaves its place of resort during the day, and, rising in a spiral 
direction, soars to a very great height, uttering at intervals the peculiar cry that in former days was heard 
with superstitious dread. It also makes .the bellowing noise when on the ground, to assist in the production 
of which extraordinary note it was supposed to thrust its bill into the hollow of a reed — -an idea not at all 
probable, and unsupported by any confirmatory evidence. 
“ The nest of the Bittern is generally placed very near the water, among the thickest reeds or long 
herbage, and is composed of a large mass of reeds, sticks, &c., containing four or five eggs of a pale 
asparagus-green colour, from which, in the course of twenty-five or twenty-six days, the young are produced. 
These, as may be supposed, are at first very shapeless, being naked, and the neck, head, and legs appearing 
quite out of pi'oportion to the other parts of the body. They are fed by the parents till fully fledged, and 
do not quit the nest until nearly able to provide for themselves. The food of the Bittern consists of water- 
insects, reptiles, fish, and small mammalia, particularly moles, mice, and shrews. Young birds are also 
frequently devoured ; and Sir William Jardine informs me that he once took a whole Water-Bail out of 
the stomach of a Bittern, — a fact, however, not extraordinary, when we consider that the gape of this bird 
is very wide, and will stretch to a great extent, the commissure of the bill reaching behind the line of the 
eyes, and the oesophagus being through its whole length capable of mu^h distention. The Bittern, in 
earlier times, was greatly esteemed as a luxury for the table, and even now it brings a good price when 
exposed for sale. The flesh is dark-coloured, hut not coarse in texture, and the flavour partakes of that 
of the Hare, combined with the peculiar taste of what are usually termed ‘ Wild Fowl.’ ” 
Dr. Latham states that the booming noise is supposed to arise from a loose membrane, which can he 
inflated with air and exploded at pleasure ; but Mr. Selby states that the internal anatomy of the bird 
exhibits no peculiarity. That it is produced by -the inflation of the throat I am certain ; for M'e may many 
times in the course of the year witness the action, and the utterance of the peculiar sounds, in an allied 
species of Bittern now in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London. 
The Plate represents an adult and four young ones, of the size of life. For the opportunity of figuring 
the latter, I am indebted to the kindness of A. ^Y. Crichton, Esq. 
