Birds. 2795 



nor young, but still the birds continued their cries. Accidentally, 

 however, ray eye caught sight of an object in a small pool of 

 muddy water, which was struggling about like a young toad. On 

 taking it out, it proved to be a young peewit. The birds, I doubt 

 not, had placed it there for security on my approach, as it could not 

 possibly have existed long in such an uncomfortable situation. 



Oyster-catcher {Hcematopus ostralegus). Occasionally killed off 

 the Trent. A pair were shot by the late Mr. Bowman, off Mel- 

 bourne Pool. 



Common Heron [Ardea cinerea). A solitary heron may some- 

 times be descried about the shallows of the Trent, or winging his 

 stately flight from one favourite fishing-station to another. This bird 

 evidently journeys many miles for food, as I am not aware of any he- 

 ronry or breeding-place existing within a great distance from this 

 place. I have often watched the heron, and admired his extraordi- 

 nary patience in watching for food. He enters the water — stands 

 knee-deep — his wings closely folded — his body in an erect attitude, 

 and his long bill inclining towards the water, in such a position as to 

 strike immediately at any object that may swim underneath it. Here 

 he stands for hours, if unmolested, looking the very personification of 

 wretchedness, catching a small minnow or large beetle occasionally to 

 reward him for his patience. His occupation, however, is not so lean 

 and unprofitable as a novice would imagine ; for on August 24, 1849, 

 I examined a heron which had just been killed, and found no 

 less a number than eighty small Jishes in his bill ; they seemed like 

 roach, about half an inch long. I am convinced, from repeated ob- 

 servation, that the destructive propensities of the heron in taking 

 large fishes have been much overrated. Here he chooses those sta- 

 tions for fishing which could not swim a large fish, and I believe his 

 general food with us, is small eels (like worms), little minnows 

 and roach, aquatic beetles, and an occasional water-rat. 



Although this bird occupies a prominent position on the game list, 

 most people put him away as unfit for the table; yet, if the 

 bird is a young one, and cooked after the manner of a leveret, he 

 will be found pretty good eating, but rather inferior to a duck. 



Bittern {Ardea slellaris). Enclosures, drainage, and cultivation 

 have well-nigh banished the bittern from our neighbourhood ; one, 

 however, is occasionally seen. In 1827, a bittern frequented some 

 small beds of reeds and low marshy ground by the margin of the 

 Trent, below Swarkeston Bridge, but appeared shy, secreting itself 

 amongst the herbage, and giving forth towards evening a hollow, 



