INTKODUCTION. XV 



In taking a general survey of the conntyj with refer- 

 ence simply to its attractions for the feathered tribe, the 

 whole area appears divisible into, at least, six different 

 sections, each possessing some featui-es of a distinctive 

 character, adapting it specially for the habitation of 

 certain species. At the same time there are a few 

 birds, and those chiefly belonging to the Insessorial 

 order, that have a general distribution, their numbers 

 varying only according to local conditions of food or 

 temperature. These faunal divisions, then, if one may 

 so term them, may be thus enumerated : — 



1st. The "Broad" district in the vicinity of the 

 coast, on the extreme eastern boundary. 



2nd. The " Cliff" district lying further to the north, 

 with its furze covered hills, heaths, " half year" lands, 

 and richly wooded valleys, contrasting strangely with 

 the bleak level of the eastern fens. 



3rd. The "Meal" district with its warrens on 

 the coast, its flat shores, creeks, and saltmarshes ; yet in 

 close vicinity to some of the finest estates and most 

 picturesque spots in the county. 



4th. The " Breck " district to the west and south- 

 west — formerly the haunt of the Great Bustard (Otis 

 tarda), and now the home of the Norfolk Plover 

 (JEdicneinus crepitans) — with its wide open fields of 

 hght land, mixed with some of the wildest and most 

 extensive tracts in the county of heath, fir-covert, 

 warren, and sheep-walk. 



5th. The "Fen" district, being a portion of the 

 Great Bedford Level, which, commencing close to the 

 border-town of Brandon, extends over the south- 

 western part of the county to Lynn, and still retains, 

 in spite of drainage and cultivation, sufiicient traces of 

 its normal character to constitute a separate section. 



6th. The " Inclosed " district in the eastern division 

 of the county, more particularly around Norwich and 



