94 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



century it nested in many parts of the British Isles, and, in 

 spite of persecution, survived in Norfolk until the end of the 

 sixties. After 1868, except for one young bird which had 

 evidently been hatched in the neighbourhood, reported in 1886, 

 it was extinct as a breeding species until 1911, when Miss E. L. 

 Turner and James Vincent located a nest. How many pairs 

 managed to rear young in the next few years is uncertain, but 

 in 19 1 8 and 19 19 a number of broods were safely reared. 

 Collectors and not drainage were responsible for the loss of 

 the Bittern ; when under protection it found a safe area it 

 quickly increased. To Britain the bird is a spring and autumn 

 migrant and a winter visitor, and undoubtedly the present 

 breeding stock had origin in oversea immigration ; yet, out- 

 side strictly preserved districts, ruthless shooting of Bitterns 

 continues. 



The only bird with which the mottled and barred Bittern can 

 be confused is its American representative, described later. It 

 is a large heron, rich buff, barred, mottled, and vermiculated 

 with black and brown. Most local faunas contain mere 

 obituaries, the shooter having no time to study habits. In the 

 more recent journals we get some insight into the home life 

 of a shy and elusive bird ; to Miss Turner's vivid pen we owe 

 most, and in my more recent experiences of the Bittern I have 

 had the benefit of her guidance. In Cheshire, where it might 

 recolonise if left alone, the birds appear, often in pairs, in 

 December and January ; once, in spring, I heard a bird boom- 

 ing at night. In Norfolk the birds begin to boom in January 

 and continue until the young are hatched in June. During 

 the day the Bittern hides in reeds or other vegetation, and 

 unless disturbed is not seen on the wing until the young require 

 attention. When approached it assumes protective attitudes, 

 pointing the bill upward so as to expose to view the thin buff 

 neck with its irregular brown streaks, which, in reeds, confuse 

 the eye. The first young bird Miss Turner found assumed this 



