Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 4 (1846).djvu/208

1374 obtained at the end of May in the full plumage of the breeding season.

Ruff, Machetes pugnax. Occurs in Norfolk in spring and autumn, and nests with us, but in much decreased, and we fear, still decreas- ing numbers.

Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola. The woodcock arrives in Norfolk in small flights in the month of September, and becomes more nume- rous in October and through the remainder of the autumn. Upon their arrival, these birds are frequently so much exhausted, as to be un- able to reach the marshes, and have been known to fly against houses, and alight in streets.

The greater part of these leave as early in spring, but a few pair oc- casionally remain and nest in the county.

Great Snipe, Scolopax major. Occurs during the months of August and September, but only in small numbers.

Common Snipe, Scolopax gallinago. Is found with us throughout the year, and nests in most of the marshy parts of the county in the month of April. It is far less numerous in winter than in autumn and spring, during the former of which seasons especially, vast flocks of this species arrive on our coast, and disperse throughout the county. We have seen a common snipe, the beak of which for con- siderably more than half its length, was curved upwards like that of an avocet.

Jack Snipe, Scolopax gallinula. Arrives in Norfolk in the month of September, and remains with us till the end of April in somewhat considerable numbers, but is also less numerous in winter than in autumn and spring.

Brown Snipe, Macrorhampus griseus. This species has been taken once at Runton, in summer plumage. It has also twice occur- red at Yarmouth, once in the winter, and once in the autumn dress ; and a specimen was shot by Mr. Rising on his estate at Horsey on the 9th of October, 1845, and is now in his possession. It proved to be a male bird, changing from the summer to the winter plumage, and was in company with another of the same species, which was not ob- tained.

Curlew Sandpiper, Tringa subarquata. Of occasional occurrence on our coasts during the months of spring and autumn, and in the former season is sometimes obtained in the full plumage of the breed- ing season. It arrives about the end of July.

Knot, Tringa canutus. Arrives on the coast in the month of August, and is found through the autumn in considerable numbers ;