RAILS. ip 
taining two eggs was found on Upton Broad, Norfolk, 
on the 30th March 1868, and on the 25th May fol- 
lowing a nestling Bittern was captured at the same 
place *. 
LITTLE BITTERN. Botaurus minutus (Linneus). 
An occasional summer visitant to England. It 
has occurred in a few instances only in Scotland and 
Ireland. Although no well authenticated instance of 
its having nested in this country is on record, there 
is at least presumptive evidence of its having done 
so. Its skulking habits, and the almost impenetrable 
nature of the swamps which it frequents, render de- 
tection, except by accident, extremely difficult. 
Fam. RA LLID &. 
WATER RAIL. Fallus aquaticus, Linneus. 
Resident, but migratory also in spring and autumn, 
the birds which remain with us throughout the winter 
receiving considerable accessions to their numbers in 
March and April, these numbers being again visibly 
diminished in the fall of the year. 
LAND RAIL or CORN CRAKE. Crea} pratensis, Bech- 
stein. 
A summer migrant. Many instances, however, are 
on record of its having been met with in England 
during the winter months. 
* Stevenson, ‘ Birds of Norfolk,’ vol. 1. p. 164. 
t Genus Crea, Bechstein, ‘ Naturg. Deutschl.’ iv. p. 470 (1803) ; 
Porzana, Vieillot, ‘ Analyse,’ p. 61 (1816). 
