ern e 
of eight or ten feet above the marsh. It was difficult to 
see just vjhat happened at this precise Instant, but we all 
agreed that the birds came together with the full force of 
the momentum of rapid flight, then clinching in some way, 
apparently with both feet and bills, descended nearly to 
the ground. Ju t before reaching it, they separated ami 
sailed (not flapped) off to their former respective stations. 
After re ting there a few momenta, the mutual attack was 
resumed imprecisely the same manner as at first, only 
sooewnat lets vigorously* It was not repented after this. 
Although a most spirited tilt (especially on the 
first occasion), by antagonists armed with formidable 
weapons (the dagger-like bills) we could not see that any 
harm resulted from it to either bird, then we crossed 
the river in a boat cone fifteen minutes later, both 
bitterns were still standing near the Canal# Up to thio 
time both had showed the bite continuously but it d isappeared 
as we were approaching them* On© took flight when we were 
1 ■ the middle of the river, e got within 20 yards of the 
other before it moved, when it merely walked off over the 
marsh. 
