108 LITTLE BITTERN. 



Cornwall. One, a female, was shot near Guildford, in Surrey. 

 In Norfolk, one, a male, at South Waltham, on the llth. 

 of June, 1849, where, according to Mr. Yarrell, on the 

 authority of Mr. Heysham, of Carlisle, a pair had heen shot 

 about the beginning of July, 1839; one at Lowestoft, a 

 female, in June, 1830; one at Barnaby, and one at Ludham. 



Also in Berkshire, one, in the summer of 1826, on the 

 banks of the Thames, near Windsor; one at Uxbridge Moor, 

 in Middlesex; one in Herefordshire, at Shobden Court, the 

 seat of Lord Bateman, in the spring of 1838; one also in 

 South Wales. At Somerton, one, also a male, a young bird, 

 on the 17th. of May, 1852; in Shropshire, one, at Shrewsbury, 

 on the banks of the Severn. In Northumberland, one, at 

 Blagdon, the seat of Sir M. W. Ridley, Bart.; and one near 

 the mouth of the Tyne. In Devonshire, one, in the summer 

 of 1808; in Somersetshire, one, near Bath, in the autumn 

 of 1789, and another near the River Creed. 



In Orkney, one was killed in the Isle of Sunda, in the 

 winter of 1805-6. 



In Ireland, one has been recorded by the late William 

 Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, as having been shot in the 

 county of Armagh. 



It is of migratory habits, moving northwards the latter 

 part of April, and returning southwards in September. 



It is adapted in its modes of life to the wooded swamps 

 that border on rivers, lakes, ponds, and inland seas, among 

 which, where reeds or other aquatic vegetation nourishes, it 

 has its habitation. It frequently perches on trees, especially 

 in the spring of the year. Selby says that its usual 

 position on the ground, when at rest, is that of sitting on 

 the whole length of the leg, with the neck bent, the head 

 thrown back, and the bill pointing almost perpendicularly 

 upwards. Meyer observes, 'It is a matter of surprise how 

 the Little Bittern puts in practice one of its habits, namely, 

 that of climbing or running up and down a perpendicular 

 branch of a tree, with as much ease as if it walked on the 

 ground. The necessity of placing its feet in a line, makes 

 the circumstance unavoidable of crossing its legs at every 

 step, while the formation of its feet is apparently adapted 

 only for the purpose of wading. The length and pliability 

 of the toes, and the arched and sharply pointed claws, 

 materially aid this bird in retaining its hold. 



The Little Bittern is very artful in keeping itself out of 



