The Norfolk Broads 207 



Year )jy year the record is ratlier of disappearances than 

 occurrences — of dwindhn^^ numbers in tlie phice of abun- 

 dance. It is true tliat a few species added to the hst 

 of British birds are mostly from Norfolk ; Init these are 

 without exception accidental visitors — strays of migration, 

 whicli may never be seen again on our coast. Poor con- 

 solation for the steady diminution whicli is taking place 

 of regular breeding species, many of whicli are already 

 extinguished, and others, too many others, on the \'ery 

 A'erore of annihilation. 



The Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Hen-harrier, Ruff, 

 Spoonbill, Bittern, Avocet, Black Tern, Savis Warbler, 

 and Black-tailed Godwit have vanished as nesting species, 

 never, I fear, to return as such — a sad list of submerged 

 species once plentiful as regular summer visitors, and now 

 victims not so much of over-population, or even cultivation 

 (for there is plenty of room to spare for them still), as of 

 senseless persecution and the greed of collectors. 



JNIost of these may still be met with haunting the scenes 

 Avhere formerly they were so abundant, but only as straggling 

 individuals on migration, and are too often recorded in the 

 local papers as '" shot and added to the collection of Mr. 

 So-and-so." I^uckily a local association has taken in hand 

 the protection of the birds on Breydon Broad, or there is 

 no doubt whate\er that the number of bird murders would 

 be far higher than it is. 



At this famous resort for rarities Black Terns and Ciodwits 

 may often be seen, and every year Spoonbills spend some 



