BITTERN. 
103 
Naturalis Orcadensis/ say that since then they have met with 
no record of its appearance in the islands. 
Bitterns occasionally breed in this country, and some on 
the other hand remain throughout the winter, but for the 
most part it would appear that they are migratory, arriving 
in March and April, and departing in September and October. 
Thomas Eyton, Esq., of Eyton, in his ‘Eauna of Shropshire/ 
mentions a hatch of these birds as having come off at Cosford 
Pool, in that county. Another pair built at Tonglake, near 
Albright on, also in Salop. An egg was once obtained at 
Ban worth, in Norfolk. In Ireland, too, the late William 
Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, has said that some breed in the 
most extensive bogs, and are occasionally met with elsewhere, 
but that the birds are becoming gradually more scarce. 
During the day they conceal themselves among the flags, 
rushes, reeds, and other rank vegetation that prevails in the 
damp districts, which afford them security and shelter—those 
wild plants that grow by the side of the lazy pool, and those 
that adorn the bank of the sequestered stream That whimples 
doon the glen. , At times they are found in woods. They 
are formidable if attacked at close quarters, the sharp bill 
giving hard and severe blows. To defend themselves against 
a dog, they will throw themselves on their backs, and strike 
with their claws as well as with their bill, both weapons of 
considerable power. They were formerly in some estimation 
as an article of food for the table, especially the young, and 
even still command a good price. They were also in esteem 
in falconry, as their habit is, when flown at, to rise high in 
the air, ascending in spiral circles, endeavouring to keep 
above their enemy. Selby adds, ‘Should this manoeuvre fail, 
it then prepares for the descent of the Hawk, by setting its 
sharp bill perpendicularly upwards, upon which its impetuous 
antagonist frequently transfixes itself, or is so severely wounded, 
as to be obliged to give up a second attack.’ 
They are of solitary habits, and while lying close in their 
quarters, the head resting upon the shoulders, bent back 
somewhat in the shape of the letter S, will frequently allow 
themselves to be almost trodden upon before they take wing 
or endeavour to escape. Their usual position is ‘couchant/ 
with the body erect, and the head, neck, and bill pointed 
upwards. 
Bewick says that the Bittern, when attacked by the Buzzard, 
or other birds of prey, defends itself with great courage, and 
