1 88 AN EAST COAST NATURALIST 



was resting on a floating basket; the Caspian was 

 fishing, plunging into the water with the dash and 

 vigour of an Osprey. 



July 25. Observed eleven Greenshanks feeding 

 together in one flock. 



Nov. In the middle of the month an invasion of 

 Waxwings excited the attention of both gunners and 

 naturalists. Reports reached me that at Filby they 

 were to be seen " feasting in the gardens, as tame as 

 Doves." So they were ruthlessly killed. One shot 

 by a bird catcher was described to me as " full up 

 with ' butter-haws ' " (hawthorn berries). 



1902 



April. Small waders on Breydon. In this month 

 I sometimes meet with Dunlins and other small 

 waders plumaged as grey as in the depth of winter : I 

 feel convinced these are the late-hatched birds of the 

 preceding year. Again, some are to be seen with 

 the black breast-patch and summer "saddle" per- 

 fected even in March. I take it these are old and 

 well-advanced birds. 



April 15. Met with a young fellow who has a 

 great weakness for hunting for "Plovers' eggs," in 

 which pursuit he seems only too successful. His 

 theory for nest - finding was put as follows : The 

 Lapwing usually makes three nest-holes ; two of them 

 he calls " scrabs." If you find one of these scrabs, 

 alleged to be scratched out by the bird, at three 

 paces off you will find a second ; and then at equal 



