BIRD NOTES 97 



killed in this manner on Breydon by some mis- 

 chievous boys, and another in the wash of the sea 

 off Hemsby in November 1897. The Shoveler is 

 undoubtedly becoming more abundant. As many 

 as sixty-five were observed in a flock on Breydon 

 on 5th March 1890. 



A few pairs of Sheld-ducks still nest on the north- 

 west coast of Norfolk, and small casual flocks visit 

 Breydon. The greatest quantity I ever saw was 

 during a thick rime frost in 1879, when an unusual 

 number passed along the beach southwards, almost 

 within arm's length. There really seemed to be 

 hundreds ! A flock of seventeen were seen on 

 Breydon in January 1897, the greater portion being 

 killed in the course of two or three days. The 

 Sheld-duck has much of the Goose in its habits, and 

 keeps a great deal out of the water, patrolling all 

 over the flats, gleaning small mollusca and the 

 young of the common winkle. 



THE PEREGRINE FALCON 



This, the noblest of our British Falconidae, although 

 always comparatively rare in this neighbourhood, 

 is now one of our rarest autumnal visitors. A 

 7 



