CATALOGUE OF THE BIRDS OF SUFFOLK. 89 



of game is doubtless the cause of the diminution of its 

 numbers. Sheppard and Whitear give an interesting account 

 of its sagacious instinct ; in the winter season it frequents the 

 sea shore, in quest of mussels ; as soon as it finds one, it 

 flies straight up into the air with the shell in its beak, and 

 lets it fall on the stones to break it, after which it quickly 

 descends upon its prey (u.s.). At this season it is scarcely ever 

 seen inland (A. Newton in litt.). 



Hooded Crow, Corvus comix, L. 



S. and W. Cat. 9. Very common on heaths. 

 East Suffolk. 



1. Yarmouth, common (S.and W. u.s.; Paget, Y. 6); one, apparently a 

 nestling, seen in a marsh near that place July 1843; it was probably bred in 

 the district (Stev. B.o/NA. 261); seen off the town Oct. 1872, when some 

 settled on a steam-boat (H. Stevenson and J. H. Gurney, jun., in Z. 2nd S. 

 3356). A good many seen departing on Breydon Marsh, March 31, 1876 

 (H. Stevenson in Z. 2nd S. 5105). Common about Fritton, and very 

 audacious (Page v. v.). Continuous flocks observed at the Corton Light 

 Vessel, going from East to West in Oct., Nov., and Dec, 1879 (Report 

 on Migration of Birds by J. A. Harvie-Brown and J. Corcleaux in Z. 3rd 

 S. iv. 181). Several killed at Gunton Aug. 1869, perhaps very old birds 

 unable to migrate ; a single bird seen there May 1876, and stragglers 

 have been occasionally observed throughout the summer (H. Stevenson 

 in Z. 2nd S. 1912, 5106). One seen at Pakefield Dec. 1856, chasing a small 

 bird which it killed (J. H. Gurney in Z. 5 126). Breeds near Bungay, 

 whence Mr. T. M. Spalding had an egg ; one shot there (F. Spalding 

 MS.). A male obtained March 29, 1867 at Worlingharn (T. E. Gunn in 

 Z. 2nd S. 759). 



2. Arrives at Southwold in autumn at the same time as the Woodcock 

 (Pennant's Br. Z. ii. 436, Ed. 1776). Westleton (F. Spalding MS.). 

 Regular visitant near Aldeburgh (Hcle, Aid. 85 ; James MS.). Heard 

 Oct. 22, 1873, at Blaxhall (G. T. Rope in Z. 2nd S. 3867). Shot on the 

 Sudbourn Hall Estate, where it is common and extremely destructive to 

 game (in Sir R. Wallace's Collection, C. B. !). 



3. Wickham Market, March 1869, beginning to leave about the 2nd 

 (A. Clark-Kennedy in Z. 2nd S. 1860). Seen at' Eyke, Dec. 1881 (C. B. !). 

 Great Beatings, common (Moor MS.). Sutton (W. P. T. Phillips' 

 Collection). Very common about Shotley (Kerry MSA 



4. Bramford (Haward MS.). 



West Suffolk. 



5. Oakley, common (Clarke MS ). 



6. Cockfield, (A. Parish v. v.) ; one shot Dec. 1877 (W. Steward v.v.). 



M 



