Botaurus lentiginosus. plation of the scene. With all his experience in the north wilderness, he deemed this un- known swamp worthy of much caution and hesitating procedure. From Errol swamp came the hoot of the Barred Owl, and a Loon in the pond before us answered with his wailing cry. But a more welcome sight met our gaze, as we saw a Bittern slowly flapping his way across the marsh with a frog impaled on his spear-like bill. Lower and lower he came, and at last settled his flight in a bog at the side of the swamp. Leaving my companion as a landmark, that we might remember our entrance point, I started toward the bog, bespattering myself with mud and slime in my amphibious exer- tions. Reaching the edge of the grassy spot I proceeded slowly with attentive gaze upon the surface. Soon I perceived the top of the young swamp grass indicate by its motions the passage of some object hidden in its cover, and again I saw it repeated, but in a different direc- tion. As I happened at this time to catch the source from whence the wavy line sprang into existence, I was enabled to speedily find the object of my search. Placed upon a heap of dry grass and coarse brakes, I found four light drab eggs which needed no second per- son to assure me were eggs of the American Bittern, and as I stood in contemplation of the pleasing sight, the telltale grass again gave in- dication of the stealthily approach of the birds, and soon I saw the pointed beak and staring yellow eyes protruding from their hiding place and gazing ruefully at the invader of their home; but when I bestirred myself to secure my new found treasures, they knew the cur- tain was about to ring down on the last act, and the grassy cover informed me that they were gone. It is needless to say my exertions were counted as nothing when compared with the experience gained, and when in my Woodcock cover, in Southern New England, I stumble up- on the Bittern, it brings vividly to my mind the scene not far from the wooded shores of Um- bagog; and my cartridge is withheld for game more unworthy. O. & O. XII. Jan., 1887. P. 11-12. Eggs of the Mississippi Kite. [I have been permitted by Capt. Charles E. Bendire to publish the following letter from him, concerning the eggs of the Mississippi Kite, (Ictinia subcærulea). It was not origin- ally written for publication, but its contents