BAILS. 57 



taining two eggs was found on Upton Broad, Norfolk, 

 on the 30th March 1868, and on the 25th May fol- 

 lowing a nestling Bittern was captured at the same 

 place*. 



LITTLE BITTEEN. Botaurus minutus (Linnseus). 



An occasional summer visitant to England. It 

 has occurred in a few instances only in Scotland and 

 Ireland. Although no weU authenticated instance of 

 its having nested in this country is on record, there 

 is at least presumptive evidence of its having done 

 so. Its skulking habits, and the almost impenetrable 

 nature of the swamps which it frequents, render de- 

 tection, except by accident, extremely difficult. 



Earn. RALLlDiE. 



WATER EAIL. Rallus aquaticus, Linnaeus. 



Resident, but migratory also in spring and autumn, 

 the birds which remain with us throughout the winter 

 receiving considerable accessions to their numbers in 

 March and April, these numbers being again visibly 

 diminished in the fall of the year. 



LAND EAIL or COEN CEAKE. Crex^ pratensis, Bech- 

 stein. 



A summer migrant. Many instances, however, are 



on record of its having been met with in England 



during the winter months. 



* Stevenson, ' Birds of Norfolk,' vol. ii. p. 164. 

 t Genus Grex, Bechstein, 'Naturg. Deutsohl.' iv. p. 470 (1803) ; 

 Porzana, Vieillot, 'Analyse,' p. ei'(1816). 



