22 BIRDS OF NOBFOLK. 



over the open downs. Migratory specimens from the 

 north also appear on our coast in considerable numbers 

 towards the end of autumn, when many are trapped and 

 shot on the hills by the sea-side, particularly about 

 Northrepps and Beeston, near Cromer. It is probable, 

 I think, that some of our native birds proceed farther 

 south during severe weather; and I believe, as a rule, 

 like our common song thrush, they quit altogether 

 the more exposed parts of the county in the depth of 

 winter. In more sheltered localities, however, they are 

 observed at all seasons. A pair which regularly frequent 

 the ruined steeple of Keswick Church, near Norwich, 

 have been seen by my friend, Mr. Edwards, skimming 

 over the fields in search of prey whilst the snow was 

 lying deep; and the thrashing out of a stack in 

 autumn or winter is sure to bring them at once to 

 the spot to seize, at a respectful distance, on the mice 

 thus expelled from their snug quarters. That some 

 kestrels carry off young partridges, as well as other 

 small birds, during the nesting season, is too well 

 authenticated as a fact for even their warmest advocates 

 to gainsay; yet, still the amount of good which the 

 species generally effects throughout the year by destroy- 

 ing large quantities of mice, moles, insects, and worms, 

 should entitle it rather to protection at the hands of the 

 farmer than annihilation for occasional raids upon the 

 keepers' preserves, whilst every true lover of nature 

 would plead for so striking an object in our rural 

 scenery as the hovering kestrel, poised on quivering 

 wings, or swooping down upon its prey. The museum 

 collection is rich in local specimens, showing the differ- 

 ences in plumage of age and sex, and some are occa- 

 sionally netted by our bird-catchers from their habit of 

 pouncing down upon the " call" birds. 



