NATURAL HISTORY, 
The Bittern, Found occasionally in the marshes 
near Newton and Ashburton, and on Bovey 
Heathfield. It is a shy solitary bird, and was 
formerly held in high estimation at the tables of 
the great;—it is annually becoming a scarcer 
species, 7 
“The Bittern booms along the sounding marsh, 
“* Mix’d with the cries of Heron and Mallard harsh,” 
3. A. Minvuta. ({Lin.) Brit. Zool, 2. p. 633. 
The Litile Bittern. Very rare; has been found 
in the neighbourhood of Ashburton, 
4, A. Eeuinoctiauis (of Latham). Temm., 
Orn. 2. p. 566, (A. Russara.) Mont. in Lin, 
Trans. 9. p. 197. A female of this species was 
killed near Kingsbridge, the latter end of 
October, 1805, 
PLUTEA, LeucoropiA. Mont. Orn. Dict. Supp. 
Spoonbill, One shot in March another in Nov, 
at Kingsbridge. 
NUMENIUS. 1. Arquata. Temm. Orn, 2. 
p. 603. (Brit. Zool. 2. p, 429. Scotopax.) 
The Curlew. Common, breeds on Dartmoor, 
frequents the sea coast in winter, 
** Soothed by the murmurs of the sea-beat shore, 
“His dun grey plumage floating to the gale, 
** The curlew blends his melancholy wail, 
‘¢ With those hoarse sounds the rushing waters pour.” 
2, N. Pomopus. (Temm.) Brit, Zool. 2. p, 430. 
{Scotopax.}) The Whimbrel, Not so common 
