72 PONDS, -PADDOCKS, AND AVIARIES 



panion got to be very nasty, and was always bullying the 

 others." 1 



" April 2<)th, 1891. 



" You will be glad to hear that one of the bitterns 

 sits steadily upon four eggs in courtyard." 



"May ist, 1891. 

 " The bittern now sits steadily upon five eggs." 8 



1 May 3U/ 1 , 1891. 



" Alas, all the bittern's eggs were addled, and I am 

 greatly disappointed. I have four bitterns, and, never 

 dreaming of their laying, kept them in a sort of shed, 

 previously inhabited by badgers, in our courtyard, where 

 people are constantly passing with horses, carriages and 

 dogs, that the birds might become tame." 4 



' ' December 1 7 //$, 1891. 



" I have four little bitterns doing well, but in my 

 eyes the gem of my live stock now is a great black 

 woodpecker, in splendid condition and perfectly tame. 

 Two broods of little owls were reared in this neighbour- 

 hood last summer. Reeves's pheasants did excellently well 

 in this county, but would not stay in my coverts, so I 



1 To W. H. St. Quintin, Esq. 



2 To A. Thorburn, Esq. 



3 To the same. 



4 To W. H. St. Quintin, Esq. 



