X PREFACE. 



never have anticipated, is owing mainly to the encouraging 

 suggestions of those who take a like interest in the birds 

 of their native county ; and though I trust that in no 

 instance the sources from whence I have derived informa- 

 tion have passed unnoticed, there are still some friends to 

 whom my thanks are especially due. 



To Mr. J. H. Gurney and Professor Newton I am 

 indebted not only for the interest they evinced from 

 the first in the objects I haA'^e had in view, but for the 

 invaluable assistance afforded me through their perfect 

 acquaintance with ornithological subjects, whether local 

 or general. To the latter, also, I owe the advantage of 

 a personal supervision of these pages, whilst passing 

 through the press, an act of genuine friendship which 

 will ever be held by me in very grateful remembrance. 



Through the courtesy of the late Sir William Hooker 

 I have been enabled to include several very interesting 

 MS. notes, made by himself and other naturalists at 

 Yarmouth and its environs, between 1807 and 1840 ; and 

 to Mrs. E. P. Clarke, of Wymondham, I am similarly 

 indebted for extracts from the private memoranda of the 

 late Mr. Edward Lombe, when forming his magnificent 

 collection of British birds. 



The Rev. E. W. Dowell, of Dunton, whose practical 

 knowledge, as a sportsman and naturalist, of the forms and 

 habits of our littoral species renders his information of 

 peculiar value, has also, in the most liberal manner, 

 placed his MS. notes entirely at my disposal, which, 

 I need scarcely remark, will add materially to the com- 

 pleteness of the latter portion of the work.* 



* Mr. Gr. D. Berney has very kindly forwarded me particulars 

 of tlie protection afforded to the Barn-Owl, on his father's estate 

 at Morton, and in other parts of the county, but these having unfor- 

 tunately reached me too late for insertion in my notes on that 

 species, will appear in an appendix to the second volume, with the 

 latest incidents of any special interest. 



