30 ARDEIDAA 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
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TARSO-METATARSUS An ‘s Sent 
EGe an +N ae! ee, 2 Oe eae 
Allied Species and Representative Forms.—N. caledonicus, 
with the upper parts of a bright cinnamon colour, is the 
representative in Australia and some of the neighbouring 
islands (Saunders). 
LITTLE BITTERN. Ardetta minuta (Linneus). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘ Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. iv, pl. 
29; Dresser, ‘ Birds of Europe,’ vol. vi, pl. 401; Lilford, 
‘Coloured Figures,’ vel. vii, pl. 12. 
This singular bird occurs as an irregular but not infre- 
quent visitor in spring and summer to our Isles. It has 
been obtained in nearly every English county! (Saunders), 
chiefly in the southern and eastern districts, more rarely 
in the north and west. To Scotland it is a very uncertain 
visitor. It should, however, be borne in mind that owing 
to the protective coloration of its plumage, the extra- 
ordinary unbird-lke attitudes which it assumes? and its 
skulking habits, no bird is more easily overlooked, even by 
the most expert and careful observer.® 
Ireland has afforded us about thirty recorded occurrences 
of the Little Bittern. Most specimens proved to be im- 
mature, but seven adult males have been obtained. The 
following are the counties from which this species has been 
taken :—Kerry, Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, Carlow, Dublin, 
' On June 380th, 1901, a Little Bittern was taken in a public park in 
Cornwall, with a broken leg. It probably struck the telegraph wire 
(H. W. Evans, ‘ Zoologist,’ 1901, p. 354-5). 
* “Tt often endeavours to escape notice by remaining motionless, 
with crossed legs, outstretched neck and bill pointing upwards; thus 
resembling a dry reed or a dead bulrush ”’ (Saunders). 
* These remarks also apply to the Common Bittern. 
