The veil of cloud was lifted, and below Glowed the rich valley, and the river's flow Was darkened by the forest's shade, Or glistened in the white cascade; Where upward, in the mellow blush of day, The noisy bittern wheeled his spiral way.
"The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
We heard no gun save that of the bittern, which savored more of love than war.
"See America First"
Orville O. Hiestand
Let me see the great seal-let me handle it before I die-do, that's a dear; if not, go back to your Colony pond, and sing with your provincial frogs, and I hope to Heaven the fust long-legged bittern that comes there will make a supper of you.
"The Attache or, Sam Slick in England, Complete"
Thomas Chandler Haliburton