be BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 
celebrated John Ray, taken from a specimen killed near 
Thetford,* and from which no doubt the figure in 
Willughby’s “Ornithology” (Tab. Ixxvii.) was engraved. 
Sir Thomas also, in his list of Norfolk birds, describes 
this species as “a handsome tall bird remarkably eyed, 
and with a bill not above two inches long, commonly 
called a stone-curlew, but the note thereof more 
resembles that of a green plover, and breeds about 
Thetford, about the stones and shingles of the river.” 
But although at that time, as at the present day, this 
species was most numerous in the western and south- 
* T am greatly indebted to the Rev. H. B. Tristram for the sight 
of a very scarce little work, entitled—*“ A Collection of English 
Words not generally used. * * * With Catalogues of English 
Birds and Fishes. By John Ray, Fellow of the Royal Society.” 
London, 1674, 8vo., pp. 178. In the preface, with reference to the 
“catalogue of English birds,” occurs the following passage:—‘Since 
this catalogue was sent away to the press, among some pictures of 
birds which I have received from the learned and deservedly 
famous Sir Thomas Browne, of Norwich, I find two or three English 
birds by me omitted, as whereof I was not certain. Cdicnemus 
Bellonii by him also first observed in England. Upon the picture 
of it sent to me by Sir Thomas, I find inscribed ‘a stone-curlew, 
from about Thetford, whereabouts they breed. It hath a remark- 
able eye and note somewhat like a green plover.’” In Ray’s 
preface to Willughby’s “ Ornithology,” Sir Thomas’s contributions 
are also duly acknowledged, but from the following extract from a 
letter of that learned physician to his son Edward, dated March 
28th, 1682 (see Wilkin’s edition of his works, vol. 1, p. 337), we 
find the former complaining of the unnecessary detention of his 
drawings :—* When Mr. Ray (he writes) was to print his orni- 
thologie or description of birds, I lent him many draughts of birds 
in colours, which I had caused at times to bee drawne, and hee and 
Sir Phillip Skippon promised mee that they should be safely 
returned; butt I have not since received them. Butt they were 
left in Mr. Martyn’s hands, therefore present my services unto Mr. 
Martyn (bookseller, at the bell, St. Paul’s churchyard), and desire 
him from mee, to deliver the same unto you, and I shall rest 
satisfied.” 
