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L IT T L E B IT T E R N .
Arietta minuta (Linn.).
Litho. W. Greve, Berlin.
LITTLE BITTERN.
ARDETTA MINUTA [Linn.).
Ardea minuta, Linn. S. N. i. p. 340 (1766); Naum. ix.
p. 194. ..
Botaurus minutas, Macg. iv. p. 423; Hewitson, | p. 315-
Ardetta minuta, Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 200; Dresser, vi. p. 359.
H Umgio,, French; m in e SehriMnmel Germm;
Garza chica, Garzon pequefio, Spanish; Gomel,
Valencian.
Although there is a considerable amount of authentic
circumstantial evidence in favour of the breeding of this
very remarkable bird in our country, I am not aware
that there is more than one recorded instance of the
actual finding of its nest in England; the particulars of
this occurrence may be found quoted from Lubbock s
<Fauna of Norfolk’ (1879), at p. 202, vol. iv. of 4th
edition of Yarrell’s ‘British Birds,’ and are to the effect
that Mr. Thos. Southwell, in a footnote at p. 90 of the
former work, states that Mr. Rising, of Horsey, assured
him that about the year 1822-28 a nest of the Little
Bittern, containing eggs, was found close to the parsonage
at Catfield, Norfolk. I have been assured, on what
I hold to be unimpeachable authority, of the occurrence
of young birds of this species in one of our southern