1902 
Allgust 9 
Bitterns 
Cow-birds 
* * * * 
At the head of the "Holt" we passed within 20 yards 
of a Bittern which was standing erect and motionless on the 
bank. The grass had been recently cut and removed and there 
was absolutely nothing left that could afford the bird the 
least concealment. His nect was stretched up to its full 
length, his bird pointing straight upward. He turned his 
head from side to side every few seconds but made no other 
motion. In spite of his large size and conspicuous position 
his coloring matched his general surroundings so admirably 
that we nearly passed without seeing him. After we had got 
some 200 yards above him, he flew across the river and 
alighted under some maples. 
Just above Red Bridge we saw five or six Cow-birds 
on the ground in a pasture among some cows. Whenever one of 
the latter animals started on ahead of the rest, the Cow- 
birds would range themselves on each side close to its 
lowered muzzle and run rapidly on just ahead of it. 
