208 



Pictures of Bird Life 



days not more tliaii a few miles from the spot wliere, two 

 Imndred years aoo, tliey were accustomed to nest. In 1895, 

 in May, a small Hock of twelve Spoonbills visited Breydon. 

 and were so effectually protected by the watclier employed 

 by the association as to escape the usual fate of such rare 

 birds in Flnoland. and in 1899 six visited the same place. 



Wauing after Bearded Tits, etc., in the Broads. 



In 1901 twelve Spoonbills came, and again they escaped 

 molestation. INIr. Gurney, who records the fact, mentions that 

 they were sufficiently well known to have acquired the 

 nickname of " Banjo-bills," not an inappropriate designation. 



The Short-eared Owl, the ^larsh-harrier, Montague's 

 Harrier, the Gargeney Teal and Shoveller, and the lo\ely 

 Bearded Tit are all fast-disappearing species, and every year 

 sees their numbers still further diminishing. 



