188 
ARDEIl).^:. 
of tlieir occurrence, the bird had only been with me two months 
when it came to this untimely end. 
Although the Heron scarcely ever remains over the spring, 
I once obtained eggs taken from a nest on some rocks at White- 
ness, on the Mainland, the man who took them having no idea 
what they were. 
THE BITTEEK 
Botmirus stdlaris. 
Even when the Bittern was a common and widely-distributed 
species in other parts of the country, Shetland probably offered 
it but few attractions, destitute as it was, and still is, of those 
wide marshy tracts in which the bird delights. Thomas 
Edmondston saw one in Unst in the spring of 1843, and 
another was observed in the same island by myself in March 
1871. Others are reported, but upon such slender authority 
as to merit a mere passing allusion. 
According to Messrs Baikie and Heddle, it is equally rare in 
Orkney. 
THE WHITE STOEK. 
Ciconia alba. 
Writing in 1843, Thomas Edmondston records that “one 
was shot a few years ago.” Another Slietland example is men- 
tioned by Macgillivray ; but beyond these none seem to have 
occurred unless, indeed, the two spoken of by Mr Yarrell be 
other than these. 
THE SPOONBILL. 
Platalea leucorodia. 
This species has several times been seen and killed in Shet- 
aiid. On the 12th of April 1871, while lying at anchor in 
