164 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



The bright bluish green eggs, equal in size to 

 those of a Wild Duck, contrasted prettil}^ with the 

 dark material upon which they were laid. Two 

 of the eggs were more incubated than the others, 

 from which we may infer that the bird commences to 

 sit before the full complement is laid. Several other 

 nests on the same day contained j^oung of various 

 ages, so that no precise date for laying can be given. 



If, in the early part of the spring, the weather be 

 mild and open, the Herons commence building 

 much sooner than otherwise. 



Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea. Mr. Selby has 

 recorded the capture of a Purple Heron, " near 

 London," but gives no particulars nor date. 



Squacco Heron, Ardea ralloides. A specimen of 

 this bird was shot at Kingsbury Reservoir in 1840, 

 and a second example has since been obtained at 

 the same place, but I am uncertain of the exact 

 date. 



Bittern, Ardea stellaris. Owing to the increased 

 drainage of marsh and waste lands, this handsome 

 species is everywhere becoming scarce. It was for- 

 merly in much request for the table, being considered 

 a delicacy, and in bills of fare of some of the ancient 

 city feasts the Bittern, as well as the Heron, appears 

 as game. The nature of the soil in Middlesex 

 cannot be considered favourable to this species, for 

 it is a marsh-loving bird ; consequently instances of 

 its occurrence in this county are rare. A specimen 



