BRITISH BIRDS. j^g 



Round Whittlesea Mere, before the draining of that fine lake, Bitterns 

 appeared to be numerous, seven having fallen to the gun of J. M. Heath- 

 cote, Esq., of Connington Castle, in one morning, on the land adjoining his 

 fen-farm. 



SCOLOPAX RUSTICOLA. 



(The Woodcock.) 



On April 7, 1873, I saw a nest of four eggs (quite fresh; of this bird, 

 taken in Sussex tvi^o days before, and not blown. In Brighton we find 

 one now and then, in some little garden, perhaps, when the Woodcocks 

 come over. 



The final vignette in Yarrell's 'Birds,' vol. ii. edition 1, of Chantrey's 

 two Woodcocks killed at one shot, and the verses, are well known. In 

 ' Notes and Queries' (5th ser. iii., Feb. 6, 1875) appear other lines on the 

 same event, in a communication signed " C. A. Ward." 



" He hit the birds, and with an aim as true. 

 And hand as skilful, hit their Ukeness too." 



F. P. Muirhead. 



" With gun or chisel thou art doubly clever ; 

 Chantrey ! thy twins in death are twins for ever." 



Boulton. 



" Shall Chantrey be called a destroyer, or not ? 

 He slaughters, indeed, his two birds at one shot ; 

 But, i^itying his victims, with gen'rous endeavour 

 To make more amends by his chisel so clever. 

 He revives them to live on in marble for ever." 



Mr. Sergt. Wrangham. 



In the same publication (5th ser. iii., March 13, 1875) the last epigram 

 IS stated by " H. P. D." to belong to Francis Wrangham, Archdeacon of 



q2 



