52 



bowing, passing one another, turning round, bowing 

 again, and then separating. 



After this they broke up into small parties and 

 dispersed themselves over the ground. 



There was little or no real fighting ; but this 

 may possibly be accounted for, as it was only about 

 the middle of December, and I believe the fiercest 

 battles are usually stated to take place in the 

 spring. 



I have occasionally noticed gatherings on a 

 smaller scale in the evening. 



The specimens in the case were shot on the 

 Innerwick Moors in Glenlyon in Perthshire in 

 December, 1867. 



See Hough Notes," Vol. II., Plate 8. 



BITTERN.' 



Case 69. 



A few of these birds still visit us during the 

 winter, generally arriving with a frost and easterly 

 wind from the coast of Holland. 



Though formerly breeding abundantly in the 

 extensive reed-beds and swamps that were in those 

 days common in our eastern counties, it is now 

 some years since a nest has been discovered in any 

 part of our island ; the last authenticated eggs, I 

 believe, being taken at Upton Car near Acle in 

 Norfolk. 



The greater facilities for the drainage of the 

 marshes since the introduction of steam water-mills 

 have, together with the rage for reclaiming waste 

 lands, gradually assisted to restrict their haunts, 

 and thereby render those that visit our shores more 

 accessible to the gunners, who are always on the 

 track of any storm-driven stranger that makes his 

 appearance. 



Three of these birds frequented the neighbour- 

 hood of Hickling Broad and Heigham Sounds for 



