INTRODUCTION. XV 



In taking a general survey of the county, 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 features 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 

 (JEdicnemus crepitans) — with its wide open fields of 

 light 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, sufficient traces of 

 its normal character to constitute a separate section. 



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

 of the county, more particularly around Norwich and 



