GUNN ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF NORFOLK 307 



past two months, but tlicy appear mostly to be immature specimens. 

 Four or five examples of the Gokleneye Duck (Anas clangula), — one, 

 a splendid old male was shot at Reedham about the 24th instant, the 

 remainder were females and immature specimens. I have also seen 

 several good adult birds of the Scaup, Tufted Duck, and other common 

 fowl. An immature male of the Eider Duck [Anas molllssima) was killed 

 on Hickling broad, about the 12th of November last, it was in poor condi- 

 tion. This species is of extremely rare occurrence in Norfolk, as very few 

 individuals are ever observed so far south as this county, they are, how- 

 ever, pretty abundant in the north, in Shetland, Iceland, and other 

 northern localities, where during the summer they breed in considerable 

 numbers. An adult male of the Velvet Scoter {Anasfusca) was purchased 

 on the 20th instant in our fishmarket; it was apparently killed the previous 

 day, on our coast, and was in poor condition and probably driven to land by 

 stress of weather. Its entire length from beak to tail was 21 J inches ; tip to 

 tip of wings 3 feet ; wing from carpal joint 11 inches ; bill 2| inches in 

 length, If inch broad, nostrils black, tip of a pale reddish colour, sides of 

 upper mandible of a beautiful deep orange, edges black, tip of lower man- 

 dible pale orange ; inner sides of legs and toes of a reddish orange, the 

 outer sides inclining to a more pinkish hue, as also was the under surface 

 of its toes, membranes black, toes the same ; irides pearly white. Two 

 Smews [Mergus albellus) were obtained about the 23rd instant, the first was 

 killed at Salthouse, and the second was purchased in our fishmarket ; 

 both were females. A few individuals of the Redbreasted Merganser 

 [Mergus serrator) have been killed on our broads, being chiefly females and 

 young birds ; a nice specimen of the former was killed on the 2nd ult. on 

 the river at the back of Hellesdon mills, about four miles below Norwich. 

 I have also seen three or four individuals of Mergus merganser ; a female 

 was taken alive at Morton, about a fortnight since, by Mr. Stimpson, 

 farmer, of that parish ; he was going over his field one morning when he 

 saw the bird in question sitting on the edge of a knoll next the fence, he 

 set his dog upon it which very soon captured it ; the bird had previously 

 received an injury which prevented its escape. 



ScLAVONLVN Grebe. Mr. J. Pear, bird stufi*er, of this city, received 

 for preservation on the 20th ult., a nice immature bird of this species, it 

 having been killed by a marshman a day or two before on Surlingham 

 broad. 



Great Northern Diver. On the 24th instant an immature female 



