Page:VCH Suffolk 1.djvu/252

 A HISTORY OF SUFFOLK than the storm-petrel. Most of the speci- mens recorded have been obtained in autumn, and one in the Tostock rectory collection was picked up alive but quite exhausted on the ground near Lowestoft pier early in October, 1897. 279. Wilson's Petrel. Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl) Mr. Hele has recorded in both editions of his book a specimen of this very rare wanderer obtained in the Aldeburgh neighbourhood many years ago, which belonged to the late Colonel Thellusson. 280. Great Shearwater. Puffinus gravis (O'Reilly) Only one specimen of this casual visitant has been obtained in SufFolk, which was brought into Lowestoft by a fishing-boat in November, 1898 {Zoologist, 1899, p. 31), and this bird may have been procured some dis- tance out at sea. Mr. Hele mentions having seen one passing alongshore in December, 1869 {Notes about Aldeburgh, ed. 1870, P- 175)- 281. Manx Shearwater. Puffinis dnglorum (Temminck) A rare autumn visitant which has occurred a few times in September. It is sometimes found inland, and Dr. Babington possessed a specimen which was taken alive at Fornham in a harvest field i September, 1882 {Cata- logue, p. 225). In September, 1891, a shear- water was shot by a visitor to Aldeburgh, which was either an unusually small example of this species or some very rare stranger. Several new species of petrel have been added to the British list within the last twenty years, which are figured in Saunders' Manual, and in two instances a small bird picked up dead on the beach has proved to be a very valuable prize ; the moral of which is that any petrel of which there is the slightest doubt as to the species should be carefully preserved, and either submitted to an expert or compared with the series in the national collection. 282. Fulmar. Fulmarus glacialis (Linn.) A rare autumn and winter visitant, usually keeping well out at sea. One caught alive at Sizewell in September, 1862 (Hele) is in the Ipswich Museum. ADDENDA 137. Common Heron. In May, 1908 the Orwell Park and Blackheath heronries were reported as entirely deserted {fide head-keeper on both estates). About two pairs breed at Euston (Rev. R. B. Caton). The colony at Broke Hall is still in existence, and seventeen nests were counted at Flixton Hall in 1908. 159. Gadwall. This species bred at Euston in 1903, and Rev. R. B. Caton re- ports several pairs breeding there in 1908. 165. Red-crested Pochard. A pair were shot in Thorpe Mere 16 January, 1904 {Zool. 1905, p. 90). A flock of thirteen visited Breydon 4 September, 1906, of which nine were shot {Zool. 1906, p. 394). 167. Ferruginous Duck. Two were shot on Culford Lake by the Hon. Lewin Cado- gan in January, 1 906 {Field,!, February, 1 906). 191. Moor-Hen. A specimen of the rare and curious variety, ' hairy ' in plumage and sandy in colour, was caught by a dog near Bury in January, 1905 and preserved by the late Mr. Travis. 206. Avocet. Nine visited Breydon 14-17 June, 1905 {Zool. 1906, pp. 129-30). 242. Sandwich Tern. A nest with one egg was photographed near Orford Haven in 214 1 906, the bird flying about near the operator. An adult bird was killed about the same time by striking the telephone wire (G. P. Hope). 244. Common Tern. The protection order has unfortunately been rescinded after being in force five }ears. In 1907 almost every egg was taken as soon as laid. The terns all came back, but in reduced numbers, this year (1908), and it will not be long before they all leave off breeding on the north weir (G. P. Hope). 2^ba. Sooty Tern. Sterna /i/liginosa, J. F. Gmelin. In the spring of 1 900 one was picked up dead at Santon Downham, which was not identified till more than three years later. Through the good offices of Messrs. W. A. Dutt and W. G. Clarke, by whom it was recognized, the bird was taken to Norwich for inspection, and its identity confirmed by the naturalists there. This is the fourth British specimen (Saunders' Manual, ed. 2, p. 655). 249. Black-headed Gull, During the hard weather early in 1907 these gulls were flying about near the houses in Fonnereau Road, Ipswich.