10 NOTES FROM NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK, 



The Eiclor Duck is of rare occurrence on the Norfolk coast, 

 but has been met with on three occasions to my knowledge. In 

 the latest instance an immature female was shot at Burgh 

 St. Peter on December 30th, 1884, and weighed 2 lbs. 



A fine male Gadwall was killed at Merton November llth, 

 1885, and an immature male Long-tailed at Moulton, October 

 23rd, 1885. 



A fine male Spotted Eedshank was killed on the marshes at 

 Burton Turf in August, 1885, and sent me by a friend ; weight 

 4 oz. 6 dr. avoirdupois. 



In the month of August an unusual number of Wood Sand- 

 pij)ers made their appearance, and were shot in various localities. 

 I had a male on the 13th, a second on the 17th, another on the 

 23rd, and a male, killed at Thuxton on the 28th, and lastly a 

 female on the 10th of September. All these birds were in 

 immature plumage, and very fat. Their food had consisted 

 principally of small insects. 



Two female Water Bails were obtained at Hingham and 

 Horning, December 26th, 1884. The females are much smaller 

 than the males. Their food consisted of aquatic insects and 

 vegetable matter. On the 23rd of May a nest of seven fresh 

 laid eggs were brought me from Hickling ; and a live bird on 

 the 28th of October that had been caught in a marsh drain 

 leading into the Wensum near Norwich. It was apparently a 

 male, and had eyes of a brick red colour. 



An adult Great Black-backed Gull was caught at Cromer by 

 being entangled in some fishing gear, and was brought to me 

 alive on December 16th, 1884. The irides were grey, speckled 

 with fine irregular blotches of brown ; the eyelids were of a 

 beautiful reddish orange ; gape of mouth same colour, but not 

 quite so deep in tone. Upper mandible of bill yellow on the 

 anterior half, pale horn the basal half; lower mandible horn- 

 colour, with fleshy tinge, with the red patch covering the 

 anterior half at the sides, extreme tip pale horn-colour ; legs, 

 pale flesh colour, with slight tinge of pink on the front of the 

 tarsus. 



Two small examples of the Bittern came to hand in January. 

 The first, a male, was shot on the 19th at Aylsham by Mr. 

 Purdy. It seemed very tame, allowing the shooter to approach 

 within twenty-five yards of it before it took to wing. It was 



