Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/116

82 The first Spoonbill was seen on Breydon mud-flats on April 12th, having come in with a strong north wind, and is believed to have frequented Breydon until the 21st, when it took its departure in fine weather; wind from S.E. (Jary). On April 26th, the wind being N.E. and fine, twelve more came, but remained only two days (Jary). They were no doubt from Hickling Broad, where the Rev. M.C. Bird, to whom I am indebted for much information, reports them as seen a few days before. On May 3rd Mr. Patterson observed another, seven more on the 7th, and two on the 16th and 17th feeding on young flounders about as big as a penny, or smaller. On the 26th he saw two, and three on the 30th; also two on June 2nd, four on June 7th, five on the 15th, and four on the 7th; and noticed that the large Gulls occasionally robbed them of their flounders. Mr. Patterson made a clever drawing, showing eight different attitudes assumed by Spoonbills, as an illustration to his 'Yarmouth Birds.'

From early April to the end of July the uncovered mud-flats of Breydon tidal broad were apparently never without from two to four Spoonbills, which were seen almost daily either by Jary the watcher, or by Mr. Patterson (cf. Zool. 1901, p. 269). These birds were observed with envious eyes by the fraternity of lawbreaking gunners, who, however, were not allowed to destroy them. On July 23rd I had the opportunity of watching two fine birds,† but without crests, which were feeding with numerous Gulls, and only flew from one mud to another when put up. Their white colour against the sky whilst on the wing was very striking, and as with regular beats they flew round, they were recognizable at a great distance. In descending it was interesting to see the circles diminishing, until with one long sail, curving down, they resumed their position on the mud, keeping within ten or twelve feet of one another, their long necks extended sometimes for feeding, or bent back in repose, with bill inserted between the dorsal and scapular plumage. When flying the legs are fully extended, and so is the neck, which is slightly inclined upwards, as shown in Mr. Patterson's drawing.

The Spoonbills seemed to prefer the town-end of Breydon Broad, in spite of the noise of a railway-station and the hammering on a new bridge. It may be owing to the silting up of the