188 ciconitdjE. 
261. BoTAURUs STELLARis (Linii.) . The Common Bittern. 
Moorish, Sebar el Mraj (Lion of the marsh). Spanish. 
Pajaro toro (Bull-bird), Guia de las Gallinetas (Guide of the 
Woodcocks) . 
The Bittern, according to Favier, " winters in Morocco, 
and is seen in abundance on passage, arriving during August 
and September, and leaving in February. They are found 
in pairs and in small lots, frequenting rushes and reed- 
beds." 
This bird, however, breeds as far south as the neighbour- 
hood of Rabat, whence I have seen the eggs. On the north 
side of the Straits they sometimes nest at Casa Vieja, at the 
Laguna de la Janda, and in the Soto Torero near Vejer, and 
also in the marshes of Rocio, near the Goto Donana. Nesting 
about the middle of May, they lay four or five pale brown- 
coloured eggs, placed in the midst of thick rushes. I was 
unable personally to find a nest, but had several eggs brought 
to me, and have often heard them calling in the daytime — a 
peculiar, booming, unmistakable cry, whence, in almost all 
countries, their local name is derived. 
More abundant in the winter months, they arrive in the end 
of October, and in some places are at times quite numerous 
wherever there are rushes and sedges ; and I have occasionally 
known them shot in the sotos of the Cork- wood. 
They are dull and sluggish in habit, and it is not until nearly 
trodden on that they will rise; but on one occasion I remember 
finding several in some rather open marsh, and they flew up 
one by one far out of shot, seeking refuge in the nearest thick 
reed-bed. Though often flushed among sallows and bushes 
in the Soto Malabrigo, near Casa Vieja, I never once saw 
the Bittern perch on bushes or trees there or in any other 
country. 
Family Ciconiid^. 
262. CicoNiA ALBA, L. The White Stork. 
Moorish. Belarejh. Spanish. Cigiieiia. 
" This Stork is seen on migration in vast numbers around 
