Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/150

122 supposed nests of 1861 and 1870 being in all probability Montagu's; but the latter no doubt breeds every year, or tries to do so. The Marsh Harrier has become very scarce, and there probably has not been a nest anywhere in the eastern counties since about 1885. The birds are persecuted to the death whenever seen, but happily I have not heard of a Marsh Harrier being shot this year.

Owing to the dry weather 1896 was a great breeding season for Partridges and Pheasants, but Snipe and Woodcock were very scarce. Less than half an inch of rain fell in the important month of May, the returns, as taken in an open place on my lawn, being—April, ·94 in.; May, ·46 in.; June, 2·20 in.; July, ·89 in.; August, 1·77 in. At the end of August the year's rainfall was nearly five inches deficient. All this was splendid for the Partridges, which multiplied exceedingly; so that three guns in September obtained 1005 at Hockwold in one day. Even this performance was exceeded at Houghton and Holkham, at the latter place 1117 Partridges being brought to bag by eight guns;