150 AN EAST COAST NATURALIST 



intimidating it. It left the Curlew at length to 

 its own devices, and went in search of something 

 more easily conquered. 



Curlews, when on feed, snatch at every little pass- 

 ing flounder. Small ones they bolt in an instant, 

 but any too large for swallowing are knocked, 

 shaken, and twisted about, and prodigious efforts 

 are made to bolt them; till at length, finding all 

 their efforts vain, they appear regretfully to throw 

 them down. What most amuses me is the way a 

 disappointed bird immediately after trots along 

 as fast as his legs can carry him to seek for some 

 more manageable item, as if there were lost time 

 to be made up. 



A WATCHER'S NOTEBOOK 



For several years past a watcher has been stationed 

 on Breydon during the close season for wild birds. 

 Moored in the centre of that estuary is his house- 

 boat, from which it is his duty to keep a sharp 

 eye upon all persons likely to break the law by 

 shooting, or attempting to shoot, the various waders 

 using Breydon mud flats. The first man employed 

 was a big old fellow known as " Ducker " Chambers. 



