518 
THE STORY OF THE BIRDS. 
reeds and bulrushes of which it either skulks in a rail-like manner or stands 
erect, when it presents a strange resemblance to a pointed stump. When dis¬ 
turbed in the day among a bed of reeds it generally rises within easy shot, and 
after flapping lazily along for a short distance once more takes to covert. 
While on the wing it utters a resounding cry, replaced during the breeding- 
season by the hollow boom, from which the bird derives its name; and in its 
evening flights the bittern is said to soar in circles to vast heights. The nest, 
which is formed of a mass of reeds and flags, is placed either in thick covert, 
or on the marge of a swamp. The four eggs are olive-brown in color, but 
may be tinged with green when fresh laid. Among our ancestors the bittern 
was regarded as a favorite dish. Instead of booming, the American species 
during the breeding-season utters a cry which has been compared to the 
sound produced by hitting a stake with a mallet. Dr. Coues observes that 
“when the bittern is disturbed at his meditation he gives a vigorous spring, 
croaks at the moment in a manner highly suggestive of his displeasure, and 
flies off as fast as he can, though in rather a loose, lumbering way. For some 
distance he flaps heavily with dangling legs and outstretched neck; but when 
settled on his course he proceeds more smoothly, with regular, measured 
wing-beats, the head drawn in closely and the legs stretched out behind to¬ 
gether like a rudder. He is very easily shot on the wing, dropping at a touch 
of even fine shot. When winged, he croaks painfully as he drops, and no 
sooner does he touch the ground than he gathers himself in defensive attitude 
to resent aggression as best he can. He fights well and with more spirit and 
determination than he might be expected to show. He has a very ugly way 
of pointing his resistance with quick thrusts of his spear-like bill, capable of 
inflicting no slight wound on an incautious hand. The food of this bird con¬ 
sists of various kinds of small aquatic animals. In its stomach may be found 
molluscs, crayfish, frogs, lizards, small snakes and fishes, as well as insects. 
Such prey is captured by spearing as the bird walks or wades stealthily 
along.” 
Great Bustard—This bird bears a slight resemblance to the wild turkey. It 
is now found in Central and Southern Europe, Palestine, Turkestan, South¬ 
ern Siberia and Manchuria. It is rare in Northwestern Africa. 
The male of the great bustard stands between three and four feet in 
height, and has a total length of forty-five inches, whereas the female meas¬ 
ures about nine inches less. The male has a tuft of white bristle-like hairs, 
passing backwards and downwards from each side of the chin, and partially 
covering a narrow patch of bare skin. In the same sex the color of the head 
