CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 63 



BITTERN. 



Case 69. 



A few of these birds still visit us during the winter, 

 generally arriving with a frost and easterly wind from 

 the coast of Holland. 



Though formerly breeding abundantly in the exten- 

 sive reed-beds and swamps that were in those days 

 common in our eastern counties, it is now some years 

 since a nest has been discovered in any part of our 

 island ; the last authenticated eggs, I believe, being 

 taken at Upton Car, near Acle, in Norfolk. 



The greater facilities for the drainage of the marshes 

 since the introduction of steam water-mills have, to- 

 gether with the rage for reclaiming waste lands, 

 gradually assisted to restrict their haunts, and thereby 

 rendered those that visit our shores more accessible to 

 the gunners, who are always on the track of any storm- 

 driven stranger that makes his appearance. 



Three of these birds frequented the neighbourhood 

 of Hickling Broad and Heigham Sounds for about a 

 week in July, 1873. They were several times put up 

 by the marsh-men while going to and returning from 

 their work, but managed to evade all dangers, and 

 leave the country of their own free will. 



The specimen in the case was shot in one of the 

 reed-beds surrounding Hickling Broad, in Norfolk, in 

 December, 1871. 



