254 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. XI. 
probably mark the time of this rare Heron’s arrival in 
England. It is curious that a hundred and twelve years 
should have elapsed since the last occurrence of a species 
which is common so near to England as Spain. Its stomach 
contained newts, probably a usual food, although not men- 
tioned by Saunders. I once dissected one in Egypt, which 
had in it eleven small frogs. The Yarmouth bird also had a 
River Bull-head. 
Bittern (Botaurus stellaris). 
Sharp weather in January or February always brings to 
Norfolk some Bitterns, which have been frozen out from 
marshes on the Continent, probably those in Holland, where 
it is more abundant, and the effect of a fish famine soon 
shows itself on these birds. On January 29th Sir T. Trou- 
bridge rose one at Runcton, where two days afterwards the 
gardener caught another. A third was flushed at, Catfield, a 
fourth on February 2nd at Fleggburgh (Saunders), a fifth 
near Cley (Pashley), and a sixth on February 5th near Yar- 
mouth (Dye). This is not more than a hard season usually 
aflords to the gunners, who also secured two or three more 
at the end of the following December. 
With regard to the breeding of the Bittern, I am happy 
to be able to state that very favourable reports are to hand. 
Without entering into particulars, it is enough to say that 
Dr Riviere is of opinion that several pairs may have nested. 
Booming was also heard in the spring in districts far removed 
from the Broads whence the previous breeding records were 
derived. 
Anyhow, there is no doubt that as early as April there 
were several Bitterns about. One observer tells how on 
March 29th he listened in the evening to more than one 
booming in the reeds, and at the same time there were one 
or more on the wing also calling, but in a different key. 
During May they were heard by Dr. Long and the Rev. 
F. C. R. Jourdain in at least three places in the Broads 
district. The only naturalist, however, who was fortunate 
enough to see a nest, was Miss E, L. Turner, who examined 
one recently vacated. It had held two young Bitterns on 
June 6th (the older pair of young ones having probably 
left the nest), and some egg-shells, proof sufficient of its 
identity. The booms of a Bittern have been said to be 
always an odd number, generally three or five, which Ray 
doubted (The Ornithology, p. 282), but my limited observation 
rather confirms it, though he is right enough in saying that 
“It begins to bellow” about the beginning of February. 
