in the Neighbourhood ofThetford, Noi folic. 523 



for the last two seasons, having the usual markings clearly 

 depicted by light and dark shades. 



Black-headed Gull (Ldrus ridibundus Linn.). — A colony 

 of these gulls has for many years annually bred round a small 

 piece of water at Stanford Warren, adjoining the road ; and, 

 in consequence of their eggs being very good to eat (being 

 free from the fishy taste which is peculiar to all this genus 

 that breed near the sea coast), they are collected for sale : 

 this has, of late years, very much decreased their numbers; and, 

 should this practice be carried to the same extent as hereto- 

 fore, they will, in all probability, cease to resort to this locality. 

 This bird ought to be especially protected for its invaluable 

 services to the farmer : no one can have passed by a field that 

 is being ploughed in the spring, without observing with what 

 assiduity it follows the plough, picking up earth-worms, larvae 

 of the cockchafer, and other coleopterous insects, that may 

 be exposed on the surface. The farmers in the neighbourhood 

 of Scoulton, where there is a very extensive colony of these 

 birds, have very properly estimated their value, they having 

 made interest with the proprietor of the mere to discontinue 

 gathering the eggs for this season. I understand that, on the 

 1st of June, it was calculated that not less than fifteen thousand 

 young birds had already been hatched off, and with every 

 probability of this number being doubled. The immense supply 

 of aliment that would be required for the support of this nu- 

 merous progeny would, of necessity, very much stimulate the 

 exertions of the old birds in the acquisition of food, and, of 

 course, to the destruction of every description of worm, insect, 

 &c, in whatever stage they might be found. Although a few 

 pairs arrive so early as stated in the table, it is several days 

 before the main body makes its appearance ; and then not to 

 continue during the night, as they always leave on the approach 

 of evening, for the first ten days or a fortnight, after which 

 they remain throughout the night. The usual time of nidi- 

 fication is about the end of April, or the beginning of May : 

 the nest, which is composed of withered grass and rushes, is 

 loosely put together, and generally placed upon the tops of 

 hassocks (Carex paniculata), that grow abundantly round 

 the piece of water. The usual number of eggs is three in each 

 nest : this is rarely, if ever, exceeded. About the middle ol 

 August, they take their departure ; but, in consequence of the 

 dryness of the two past summers, they have left a month 

 earlier. 



Wheatear (Saocicola CEndnthe Bechst.) is very abundant 

 on the warrens, &c, during the breeding season, which conv- 

 mences generally by the beginning of April ; it then usually 



QQ 2 



