KAILSt 57 



taining two eggs was found on Upton Broad, Norfolk, 

 on the 30th March 1868, and on the 25th May fol- 

 lowing a nestling Bittern was captured at the same 

 place*. 



LITTLE BITTERN. Botaurus minutus (Linnaeus). 



An occasional summer visitant to England. It 

 has occurred in a few instances only in Scotland and 

 Ireland. Although no well authenticated instance of 

 its having nested in this country is on record, there 

 is at least presumptive evidence of its having done 

 so. Its skulking habits, and the almost impenetrable 

 nature of the swamps which it frequents, render de- 

 tection, except by accident, extremely difficult. 



Fam. RALL1D.E. 

 WATER RAIL. Eallus aquaticus, Linnreus. 



Resident, but migratory also in spring and autumn, 

 the birds which remain with us throughout the winter 

 receiving considerable accessions to their numbers in 

 March and April, these numbers being again visibly 

 diminished in the fall of the year. 



LAND RAIL or CORN CRAKE. Creoc^ praterms, Bech- 

 stein. 



A summer migrant. Many instances, however, are 

 on record of its having been met with in England 

 during the winter months. 



* Stevenson, < Birds of Norfolk,' vol. ii. p. 164. 

 t Genus Crex, Bechstein, Naturg. Deutschl.' iv. p. 470 (1803) ; 

 Pomna, Yieillot, l Analyse,' p. 61 (1816). 



