3860 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 
procured in Norfolk, and the particulars of its occur- 
rence were thus described by the late Mr. J. D. Hoy, 
in the “ Magazine of Natural History” for 1837 (new 
series, vol. i., p. 116):—‘ It was shot on the 25th of 
May, 1836, on the muddy flats of Breydon Broad. It 
was in company with some dunlins and ring-plovers. 
From the season of the year it had probably acquired 
its summer plumage, and it very closely agrees with 
the nuptial garb of the species as given by Temminck. 
This bird is rather inferior in size to the dunlin, but may 
be always readily distinguished from that species by 
the peculiar form of the bill, as well as by considerable 
difference in plumage. This specimen was preserved 
by a friend of mine,* who did not notice the sex. It is 
probable that this sandpiper may occasionally be found 
on our eastern coasts during the time of its periodical 
flights, but, from its similarity to one or two closely 
allied species, has hitherto escaped detection.” This 
supposition has been fully borne out, insomuch as two 
other examples have been since killed on Breydon, and 
both having been picked out from amongst a number of 
dunlins and ringed-plovers shot at the same time; it is 
more than probable that others may have been passed 
over unnoticed. Of the two latter specimens, the first, 
in Mr. J. H. Gurney’s collection, was killed on Breydon, 
May 25th, 1856, and proved to be a male, in breeding 
plumage, as recorded by Mr. Gurney in the “ Zoolo- 
gist” (p. 5159). The second, in my own possession, 
from which Mr. Gould has made a drawing for his 
“Birds of Great Britain,’ I purchased, in the flesh, on 
* In Dr. Bree’s description of Mr. Hoy’s collection of birds, 
at Stoke Nayland, published in the “ Field” of 1867 (vol. xxx., 
p- 466), it is particularly stated that there is no evidence of this * 
specimen ever having been in Mr. Hoy’s possession, nor can I 
ascertain what has become of it. 
