Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/125

Rh Gray Shrike.—One of these birds was killed in the county this month, and two others in November.

Sea Eagle.—One recorded in 'The Field' of January 6th, 1877, as killed on the Westacre estate, near Swaffham, Norfolk.

Snipe and Wild-fowl in the Early Winter.—The beginning of November was remarkable for the very unusual number of snipe which were met with at that time on our broads and marshes, and large bags were made by those fortunate enough to hear of their arrival in time to take advantage of it. From fifteen to five-and-twenty couples in a day were, I understand on good authority, killed in favourable localities, and this not only in the Broad District, but in the salt marshes on the coast: these birds, according to some accounts, literally poured in upon us, just in advance of the sudden change to frost and snow, which commenced on the 6th and lasted till about the 11th or 12th. From that time, as was the case last year under very similar circumstances, both snipe and fowl have been scarce, the weather remaining open, whilst these early flights have passed on to the south, to return only in March on their way northwards in Spring. Early in the month wild-fowl were reported as unusually plentiful at Salthouse, and on the 9th wild swans were seen off Blakeney; and about a week later others were seen out at sea, off Cley Harbour. On the 9th a flock of over two hundred wild geese flew over Northrepps, in a N.W. direction, flying high and making much noise, and about the same time I learn that fowl in unusual numbers were heard passing over Breydon, near Yarmouth, but the nights were too dark for the gunners to do anything with them. Inland, and within a mile or two of Norwich, wild swans were seen on the wing, and a great many fowl frequented the low meadows both morning and evening. The great abundance at the same time of Golden and Green Plovers, has been already referred to, but Fieldfares and Redwings have not showed in force this winter, nor have any of our smaller resident species suffered privation, owing to the brief duration of frost, and the remarkable mildness and damp of the season generally.