91 



stuffcP; of Marlborough, has given me information of two 

 specimens of these birds killed many years ago ; he cannot 

 recollect the exact date. One of the specimens is still in 

 existence, for I have seen it myself in a honse at Mildenhall. 

 The following anecdote is told of the capture of a Bittern 

 at Preshute many years ago. The Preshute water meadows 

 were at that time overgrown with oziers, &c. A spaniel, 

 which was following its master through these, disappeared, 

 and when called, came out of the rushes with a wound as 

 of a dagger in its side. Immediately after, search was 

 made, and a fine specimen of this l^ird was secured, which 

 had evidently inflicted the wound with its beak in an 

 attempt to defend itself against the attacks of the dog. 



Numenius arquata. 



Curleir. 



" The eggs of this bird have been taken on Aldbourne 

 downs." 



Such is the extract from the " Flora '" List. I know 

 nothing about the bird as a Marlborough species. 



Totanus ochropus. 



Green Sandi^lper. 



This is not a very uncommon visitor to this neighbour- 

 hood, indeed scarcely a year passes but a few specimens are 

 either observed or shot. It arrives here about the beginning 



rt*. 



