AMERICAN BITTERN. 
95 
greater number of individuals which pass over the United States, on their 
way northward, in March, come from places beyond our southern limits. 
During my residence in Kentucky, I never saw nor heard of the occurrence 
of one of them ; and although I have killed and assisted in killing a consi- 
derable number at various times of the year, I never heard their booming or 
love-notes ; or, if I have, I did not feel assured that the sounds which reached 
my ears were those of the American Bittern. This may probably appear 
strange, considering the many years I have spent in searching our swamps, 
marshes, and woods. Yet true it is that in all my rambles I had not the good 
fortune to come upon one of these birds sitting on its eggs, either among 
the grass or rushes, or on the branches of low bushes, where, I have been 
informed, it builds. 
In Lower Louisiana it is called the “ Garde Soleil,” because they say it 
will stand on one foot for hours, with its eyes, or one of them at least, fixed 
od the orb of day, and frequently spread out its wings, in the manner of Cor- 
morants and Vultures, to enjoy the heat, or perhaps the gentle breeze. There 
it is seldom obtained in spring, but is a regular autumnal visitant, appear- 
ing early in October, and frequenting the marshes both of fresh and salt 
water, where many remain until the beginning of May. It is then common 
in the mai’kets of New Orleans, where it is bought by the poorer classes to 
make gombo soup. In almost every other part of the United States it is 
commonly called the “ Indian Pullet,” or “ Indian Hen.” 
Although in a particular place, apparently favourable, some dozens of these 
birds may be found to-day, yet, perhaps, on visiting it to-morrow, you will 
not find one remaining ; and districts resorted to one season or year, will be 
found deserted by them the next. That they migrate by night I have always 
felt assured, but that they are altogether nocturnal is rather uncertain, for in 
more than half a dozen instances I have surprised them in the act of pro- 
curing food in the middle of the day when the sun was shining brightly. 
That they are extremely timid I well know, for on several occasions, when 
I have suddenly come upon them, they have stood still from mere terror, 
until I have knocked them down with an oar or a stick. Yet, when 
wounded, and their courage is raised, they shew great willingness to defend 
themselves, and if in the presence of a dog, they never fail to spread out to 
their full extent the feathers of the neck, leaving its hind part bare, ruffle 
those of their body, extend their wings, and strike violently at their enemy. 
When seized they scratch furiously, and endeavour to bite, so that, unless 
great care be taken, they may inflict severe wounds. 
I never saw one of them fly farther than thirty or forty yards at a time ; 
and on such occasions, their movements were so sluggish as to give oppor- 
tunities of easily shooting them ; for they generally rise within a few yards 
