64 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 
The late Mr. J. D. Hoy, in a letter to Mr. Yarrell, 
alluding to the abundance of this species on the sandy 
plains of Norfolk, remarks, “great numbers have been 
caught in most seasons by the subscription heron hawks, 
at Didlington Hall; they have been known to take 
refuge in a rabbit-burrow when pursued by the hawk.” 
But, as compared with the common curlew (Numenius 
arquata), the great plover is described by the authors 
of “Falconry in the British Isles” (p. 66) as reluctant 
to “take the air,”’ and usually showing but little sport. 
GLAREOLA TORQUATA, Meyer. 
COLLARED PRATINCOLE. 
This rare straggler is recorded as having occurred 
several times in this county, but I have been unable to 
ascertain authentic particulars of more than three or, 
at most, four specimens. 
In the month of May, 1827,* as stated by the Messrs. 
Paget, a pair of Pratincoles were shot on Breydon- 
* In a letter, written by Mr. J. D. Hoy to the late Mr. 
Selby, published by Dr. Bree in the “ Field” of November 9th, 1867 
(p. 385), with other interesting particulars respecting Mr. Hoy’s 
collection, the following very singular passage occurs with refer- 
ence to this species :— On the 20th of May, 1827, a pair of the 
pratincole were shot near Yarmouth. A few of them breed annually 
in the fens near Yarmouth, in the same locality as the ruffs, with 
which they are sometimes taken.” Mr. Hoy’s thorough acquaintance 
with our eastern coast and the entire “ broad district,’ renders this 
passage the more inexplicable, but whatever bird, through some 
lapsus calami, may have been here confounded with the pratincole, 
there can be no question that this rare species was at no time a 
resident in our marshes, or otherwise, than it now is, a very rare 
and accidental visitant. 
