356 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



work on British Birds from an individual obtained in 

 our islands, but as the specimen in question was pur- 

 chased in Leadenhall Market, and as no other examples 

 have been secured, the matter is perhaps best left in 

 abeyance. There can be little if any doubt that this 

 individual came from its usual haunts on abnormal 

 flight, but there is just the possibility that it was im- 

 ported with other wild-fowl from the Continent. We 

 must, however, bear in mind that in Donovan's day 

 (1801) the means of transit were small. The bird has 

 far more right to a place in the British list than many 

 others whose position, sanctioned solely by custom, 

 seems unassailable. Habitat : Canada and the Northern 

 States in summer; Southern States, Central America, 

 and West Indies in winter. 



LITTLE GREEN HERON. 



BUTORIDES VIRESCENS {LtflflCCtls). 



One British record. A migratory species, but one 

 whose range scarcely extends far enough north to render 

 an abnormal visit to our islands possible. I find that 

 Mr. Seebohm admits this species into his recently- 

 published list of British birds as an " accidental visitor," 

 but does not even mention the preceding species. It is 

 difficult to explain such capricious treatment, and I leave 

 the reader to say which of the two has the most right 

 even to a bare allusion. Habitat : North America ; 

 migratory in South Canada and the Northern States ; 

 resident further south. 



