THE BIRDS OF THE HAVEN. 153 



numbers, but not nearly so plentifully as the Coots. The 

 Water-rail is rather uncommon, being indeed but seldom seen. 

 Moreover, it does not nest on the Haven. 



The Kingfisher is represented by a solitary bird, which has 

 been here for the last two years, before which there were none. 

 I was talking to an old inhabitant one day about the scarcity 

 of this bird — as not only is it unrepresented, except by this 

 solitary bird on the Haven, but it is also not found along the 

 banks of the river — when he informed me that as a boy, he 

 used to catch five or six of a morning in a gin-trap ! 



Coming to the sea-birds I may remark that the Cormorant 

 comes over here from the back of the Isle of Wight, where it 

 breeds. It usually comes in February, to the number of 

 about eight or ten. The curious thing about it is, it never 

 settles on the Haven until the shooting for the year is over. 

 A young one appeared this year on August 1st. The Shag 

 is very rare indeed, here ; this year it appeared in April, and 

 went away directly. The Gannet is never found anywhere 

 near here, but about eight years ago one was shot after a 

 severe storm on the coast ; this is the only time it has been 

 found that I can recollect. The Heron (Ardea cinerea) stays 

 here all the year round, generally about ten at a time, but 

 it breeds in Botley Wood, about eight miles from here. 



I might here mention that the last Little Egret (Ardea 

 garzetta) is said to have been shot in Tapnadge Wood, about 

 five miles from here. The Little Bittern came here in January, 

 1893, when it was shot ; it has not occurred before or since. 

 The Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), also came here in February, 

 1893. 



The Spoonbill, I am glad to say, is often seen here ; last 

 winter (1895) two were seen, and in 1892 Mr. Pearce shot 

 one near here. 



The Geese seen here are very numerous ; large flocks come 

 over the Isle of Wight, and settle either in the Solent, just 

 outside, or else in the Haven. The Grey Lag, Bean, and 

 Brent Geese nearly always come every winter, the latter in 

 flocks of about 100, in March generally. Wild Swans usually 

 come every few years. This year eleven birds staj'ed from 

 June till August 1st ; they were not always on or near the 



