File:Birds that hunt and are hunted - life histories of one hundred and seventy birds of prey, game birds and water-fowls (1902) (14732265306).jpg

Identifier: cu31924090317748 (find matches)
Title: Birds that hunt and are hunted : life histories of one hundred and seventy birds of prey, game birds and water-fowls
Year: 1902 (1900s)
Authors: Blanchan, Neltje, 1865-1918
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: New York : Doubleday, Page & Co.
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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p go the long headfeathers, leaving the neck bare and making the bird look formid-able indeed. The plumage is ruffled, the wings are extended,and if the adversary comes too near, a violent slap from the strongwing and a thrust from the very sharp beak makes him wish hiszeal for bird lore had been tempered with discretion. A littlewater spaniel was actually stabbed to death as a result of itsmasters inquisitiveness. During the day, the bittern, being extremely timid, keepswell hidden in the marshes; but it is not a nocturnal bird, by anymeans, however well it likes to migrate by night. To someit may appear sluggish and indolent as it stands motionless forhours, but it is simply intelligently waiting for frogs, lizards,snakes, large winged insects, meadow mice, etc., to comewithin striking distance, when, quick as thought, the prey istransfixed. A slow, meditative step also gives an impression ofindolence, but the bittern is often only treading moUusks out ofthe mud with its toes. 158 p
Text Appearing After Image:
Herons and Bitterns In the air the bittern still moves slowly, and with a tropicallanguor flaps its large, broad wings, and trails its legs behind,to act as a rudder as it flies close above the tops of the sedges.When a longer journey than from one part of the marsh toanother must be made, the solitary traveller mounts high bydescribing circles; and, secure under the cover of darkness, makesbold and long excursions. It is only in the nesting season thatwe find these birds in couples. Then neither one is ever faraway from the rude grassy nest that holds from three to fivepale olive buff eggs hidden among the sedges, on the ground, ina marsh. There are those who assert that young bitterns aregood food. Least Bittern (Ardetta exilis) Called also: TORTOISE-SHELL BIRD; LITTLE BITTERN;FLY-UP-THE-CREEK • Length—13 inches. Male—Subcrested; top of head, back, and tail black, with greenreflections; back of neck and sides of head brownish red,also wings, coverts, and edges of some quills ;

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