144 
COMMON BITTERN. 
plentiful than others ; the winter of 1830-31, is 
mentioned, both by Mr. Selby and Mr. Yarrell, as 
remarkable for the number of specimens which 
were obtained. In the south of Scotland a similar 
comparative abundance occurred ; several were 
brought to me in Dumfries-shire ; and, on a visit to 
Edinburgh, it was found that the bird preservers 
there had obtained also a more than usual number 
of specimens. Since that period, they have not 
been seen in Scotland, except as stray individuals. 
In Ireland, they are also occasionally met with. 
On the continent of Europe, particularly the 
southern and central parts, in suitable localities, 
they are not uncommon, and appear to extend far 
northward, being - found in Scandinavia, Russia, 
and Siberia;* a specimen from the Cape of Good 
Hope before us does not differ very materially ; 
and it has also been met with in South Africa by 
Dr. Smith. Japan j - and IndiaJ are given to it; 
the Dukhun is mentioned by Colonel Sykes, but 
as a locality where it occurs rarely. We have re- 
ceived skins of a Bittern from continental India, 
very nearly allied to the European birds, but we 
have hitherto considered them distinct. 
The fact of the Bittern breeding in this country, 
takes place also only at uncertain seasons, and 
is, perhaps, owing at the time to particular cir- 
cumstances. It does not occur with any degree of 
regularity, nor are there any spots where the birds 
return periodically at the period of incubation. 
* Yarrell. f Temminck. J Lieut. Colonel Sykes. 
