HERON. 99 



swamp where it was shot: the lizards were not differing from those 

 in our waters in summer, having the fin on the tail. 



In the breeding season Bitterns are, for the most part, found 

 only in the wet and reedy marshes, at others, chiefly in the neigh- 

 bourhood of streams; and certain it is, that a greater proportion is 

 met with in cold weather. Mr. Boys informed me, that they are 

 never seen about Sandwich, except in the winter, and that in par- 

 ticular, in the severe season of January, 1784, great numbers were 

 shot thereabouts. Of late years we see both this and the Heron 

 exposed for sale in the London markets ; and they have long been 

 esteemed for the table in Ireland, and sometimes half a guinea given 

 for one of the former. It is called in some parts of England, Butter- 

 Bump, and Bumpy, also Miredrum. 



This species is found on the Continent, in various parts of Russia, 

 and in Asia ; in Siberia, as far as the River Lena, and continued 

 considerably to the north. Inhabits Sweden, but, with all the other 

 Herons, disappears at the approach of winter. We trace this bird 

 through France, Italy, and Spain, as far as the Coast of Barbary ; 

 and small flocks of six or eight appear about Gibraltar, in the 

 autumn, on their passage from the opposite shore ; but how far it 

 goes to the south on the African coast is not certain. We have seen- 

 it represented both in Chinese drawings, and in those from India, 

 but certainly is every where less frequent than the Heron, which last 

 is very common at Bengal. 



Among the drawings of birds received from New-Holland, in 

 the collection of Mr. Francillon, is a dark coloured one, which is so 

 like our species, as not to merit description apart. 



The Bittern in Gen. Hardwicke's India drawings, called Ghole. 



O 2 



