Independently of the European localities above mentioned, the Bittern booms forth its hollow sound in all
the countries of the Old World north o f the equator, wherever suitable situations occur ; in India it is
as common as it is with us ; it has also been received from China and Japan ; and that it enjoys a still wider
range is proved by examples from other parts of Asia and from Africa. But it has not yet been discovered
in America, its place in that country being occupied by an allied species, the Botaurus lentiginosus.
“ The habits of the Bittern,” says Mr. Selby, “ are solitary, and, being a night-feeding bird, it remains
quiet during the day, concealed in the reeds and long herbage of its marshy haunts. In this state it generally
sits closely squatted, with the neck bent so that the head rests between the shoulders ; and when thus
dosing and digesting the meal of the previous night, it will frequently allow itself to be nearly trodden
upon before it will take wing or endeavour to escape ; and even when roused, it seldom flies to any considerable
distance. When wounded or surprised and unable to escape, it defends itself with vigour ; and, as
it always aims at the eyes of its enemy with its strong and sharp-pointed bill; a considerable degree of
caution must be used in capturing it. When attacked by a dog, it throws itself upon its back, like the Owls
and other raptorial birds, and strikes with its claws as well as with its bill ; and in this manner it will keep
the most resolute dog at bay, as the infliction o f a stroke or two o f the latter spear-like weapon is commonly
sufficient to keep him afterwards at a respectful distance. The Bittern used to afford excellent sport in
falconry; for when flown at, it immediately begins to soar, rising in spiral circles, and endeavouring to keep
above its enemy. 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, o r is so
severely wounded as to be obliged to give up a second attack. The bellowing or booming noise o f the
Bittern is confined to the pairing-season, which commences in February or the beginning o f March. At
this time, on the approach of twilight, it leaves its place of resort during the day, and, rising in a spiral
direction, soars to a very great height, uttering a t intervals the peculiar cry that in former days was heard
with superstitious dread. It also makes the bellowing noise when on the ground, to assist in the production
of which extraordinary note it was supposed to thrust its bill into the hollow o f a reed—an idea not a t all
probable, and unsupported by any confirmatory evidence.
“ The nest of the Bittern is generally placed very near the water, among the thickest reeds o r long
herbage, and is composed of a large mass o f reeds, sticks, &c., containing four o r five eggs of a pale
asparagus-green colour, from which, in the course o f twenty-five or twenty-six days, the young are produced.
These, as may be supposed, are a t first very shapeless, being naked, and the neck, head, and legs appearing
quite out of proportion to the other parts of the body. They are fed by the parents till fully fledged, and
do not quit the nest until nearly able to provide for themselves. The food of the Bittern consists o f water-
insects, reptiles, fish, and small mammalia, particularly moles, mice, and shrews. Young birds are also
frequently devoured; and Sir William Jardine informs me that he once took a whole Water-Rail out of
the stomach of a Bittern,—a fact, however, not extraordinary, when we consider that the gape o f this bird
is very wide, and will stretch to a great extent, the commissure o f the »bill reaching behind the line of the
eyes, and the oesophagus being through its whole length capable of much distention. The Bittern, in
earlier times, was greatly esteemed as a luxury for the table, and even now it brings a good price when
exposed for sale. The flesh is dark-coloured, but not coarse in texture, and the flavour partakes of that
o f the Hare, combined with the peculiar taste o f what are usually termed ‘ W ild Fowl.’ ”
Dr. Latham states that the booming noise is supposed to arise from a loose membrane, which can be
inflated with air and exploded a t pleasure ; but Mr. Selby states that the internal anatomy o f the bird
exhibits 110 peculiarity. That it is produced by the inflation o f the throat I am certain ; for we may many
times in the course o f the year witness the action, and the utterance of the peculiar sounds, in an allied
species of Bittern now in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London.
The Plate represents an adult and four young ones, of the size o f life. F o r the opportunity of figuring
the latter, I am indebted to the kindness of A. W. Crichton, Esq.