146 LITTLE BITTERN. 



dropped in the river. It floated down the stream, and a chase 



after it began with great energy and enthusiasm ; 



Not dead, not yet quite dead ? 

 I that am cruel, am yet merciful ; 

 I would not have thee linger in thy pain. 



Shakespeare— 0<^e??o F., S. 



By wading boldly, the bird was at length caught, killed, and 

 sent to Mr. Ward, of Wigmore Street, London. He recognised its 

 rarity, and wrote to have another specimen shot. The four birds 

 remained in the neighbourhood for eight or nine days longer, and 

 although Mr. Jowett tried his utmost to get another shot at them, 

 he was unable to do so. They usually passed their time in the 

 neighbouring trees, and fed very early and late, on the gravel and 

 mud banks of the river. One bird was always on the watch, from 

 a tree top, whilst the others fed; and on the approach of any 

 intruder, a " scrawk " from the sentinel started them off immediately. 

 The stuffed specimen is now in the possession of Mr. Jowett. 



A very fine specimen of the Squacco Heron was shot on the 

 river Wye, on May 3rd, 1867, by Mr. Hotchkis, who was staying 

 at Clyro Court. It was carefully preserved, and is in the possession 

 of Mr. Baskerville. 



Genus— ARDETTA. 

 ARDETTA MI NUT A— Little Bittern. 



Even as the savage sits .... 



and hears 



The Bittern booming in the reed, he shrinks 

 From the dismaying solitude. 



KiRKE White— Time. 



This rare summer visitor is reported to have been shot in 

 Herefordshire. The Rev. F. O. Morris, in his " British Birds," 

 states that a specimen was shot at Shobdon Court, the seat of 

 Lord Bateman, in the spring of 1838. The late Mr. Walcot, of 

 Worcester, had in his collection of birds, a fine specimen of a male 

 bird shot in Herefordshire. These are, however, the only instances 

 recorded of its occurrence in this county. 



