168 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



with all the feathers, and occasionally an entire rat. 

 It died in the severe winter of 1847 ; it was presumed 

 from cramp, but from its unsociable nature was but 

 little regretted. "During the calm summer nights/' 

 writes Mr. Jecks, "I was frequently awoke with its 

 very peculiar cry or boom ; this call was continued for 

 about two months, June and July, and nearly all 

 night 'boom' ! 'boom' ! in a loud yet pleasant tone. 

 Some owls that were confined near him also did now 

 and then to the moon complain, on which occasions 

 the bittern would swell its voice to its utmost power, 

 trying to drown their more feeble cries." 



In Mr. Gurney's collection are three nestling bit- 

 terns, which were purchased by him of Mr. Knight, 

 of Norwich, either in 1847 or 1848. Mr. Knight 

 received them in the flesh, and when recently stuffed 

 they passed into Mr. Gurney's possession. I cannot 

 now ascertain the exact locality from whence these 

 birds were taken ; but it was either Surlingham or 

 Eanworth, the latter being by far the most likely. 



The Rev. J. Burroughes who, as an old sportsman 

 in this county, has had much experience in marsh- 

 shooting, assures me that he has killed many bitterns 

 in his time, both in the early autumn and in winter, 

 and has also seen their eggs from various localities. 

 Messrs. Sheppard and Whitear likewise speak of receiv- 

 ing the eggs of this species from marshes in Norfolk. 



William Hewitt, of Hoveton, informs me that he once 

 found a bittern's nest, many years ago, when searching 

 for leaches in the moist bottoms of the coot's nests, 

 and in the bittern's nest he likewise found three.* On 

 one occasion he surprised a bittern in a reed bush, 

 in the very act of booming, with its head and neck 



* I once took a leach from the stomach of a bittern, which 

 lived in water for some time afterwards. 



