BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 105 



the Trent border country remaining to a considerably 

 later period*. 



Mr. Boulton, in the ' Zoologist' for 1864 (p. 8960) 

 writes that twenty to thirty years ago the Bittern was 

 of common occurrence, so much so that a particular 

 bend of the river Hull, known as Eske, was formerly 

 called "butter-bump" Hall, from the booming of 

 these birds that lived around itf. 



The occurrences to my knowledge of this species 

 with us during the last ten years have only been during 

 the winter namely, one in November, two in Decem- 

 ber, four in January, and four in February. 



161. NYCTICORAX GRISEUS (Linnaeus). Night 

 Heron. 



The only occurrence, as far as I am aware, of this 

 rare species is an immature specimen shot a few years 

 ago near Cottingham, about five miles from Bever- 

 ley, by a man named Martin, keeper to Mr. Ringrose, 

 of Cottingham. Mr. Boulton secured this bird for 

 his collection. 



* In the 'Zoologist' for 1865, p. 9419, the Rev. Samuel Hudson, 

 of Ep worth, remarks, "about thirty years since this magnificent 

 species was very abundant here ; but the improved drainage has 

 caused their visits to be few and far between." 



t The well-known provincial name of this species also occurs 

 in Lincolnshire as the name of one of the hamlets of Willough- 

 by-in-the-Marsh, near Alford, as well as other localities in the 

 county. 



F5 



