A scarce species in Southern Europe, but breeding in the marismas of Spain. It is often found perched on the backs of cattle. Only known in England from one example shot in 1805. Plumage white, except the crown, nape, and back, which are saffron yellow. Length 20 in.; wing 9·5 in. THE SQUACCO HERON Ardea ralloides, Scopoli The Squacco Heron breeds in suitable localities throughout Central and Southern Europe, and has visited this country on a good many occasions, generally during the spring immigration. Head, neck, and back pale buff, the crown and nape streaked with dark lines. Sides and front of the neck buff; under parts white. Length 20 in.; wing 9 in. THE NIGHT HERON Nycticorax griseus (Linnæus) This species has frequently occurred on our south and east coasts at irregular intervals, and on one occasion eight adult birds were destroyed during the breeding season, when they might possibly have nested. It breeds chiefly in Southern and South-eastern Europe, but a few pairs still nest in Holland and Northern Germany. The crown, nape, and back of the adult are greenish black; the neck, tail, and wing coverts drab; the under parts greyish white. Length 23 in.; wing 12 in. THE LITTLE BITTERN Ardetta minuta (Linnæus) This species is abundant in summer throughout Central and Southern Europe, migrating to Africa for the winter months. To Northern Europe it is only a scarce straggler, but in the United Kingdom it has been obtained fairly frequently, especially in our eastern and southern counties, and there is little doubt that it has on more than one occasion stayed to breed. It inhabits thick reed-beds, and when disturbed either creeps away with great speed through the vegetation or remains motionless with head erect, in which position it closely resembles the reeds. The male has the crown, nape, back, quills, and tail greenish black, the rest of the plumage buff, paler on the wing coverts. The female has the crown, nape, and back brown, and the under parts buff, streaked with brown. The young resemble the female. Length 13 in.; wing 6 in. THE COMMON BITTERN Botaurus stellaris (Linnæus) Owing to drainage and cultivation, the Bittern, which used formerly to breed in various swamps and reed-beds, especially in our eastern counties, is now only known as a migrant. It still occurs yearly on our shores, and if unmolested it is probable that it would once more nest with us. The nest is a heap of reeds placed on the marsh in the thickest part of a reed-bed. The eggs are usually four in number and of a uniform brownish olive colour. In the breeding season it utters a loud “booming” noise, but at other times it is a very silent bird.