72 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



1850. November 29th. From about nine o'clock in 

 the evening large numbers heard over the city till nearly 

 daylight ; the night very dark. December 1st. Again 

 very numerous ; night fine and dark. 



1851. October 21st. A large flight over the city; 

 very dark at the time. 



1856. August 20th. Plover heard nearly all night ; 

 very dark. Incessant rain for twenty-four hours. Two 

 killed against telegraph wires the same week. 



1857. October 13th. Large numbers over the city ; 

 night dark, but fine. 



1860. August 14th. A small flight heard over the 

 city. 



That the above dates, copied from my own note- 

 books for the last seventeen years, represent all the 

 occasions on which these birds have been heard, at 

 night, over the city, during that period, I do not 

 pretend to say, but inasmuch as a dark night at 

 the exact period of their migration, alone brings them 

 under the influence of our city lamps, it is quite possible 

 that one or more seasons may elapse without their 

 presence being thus indicated by their clamorous cries. 



heard at one time : " On Thursday morning last (March 22nd), about 

 half-past two, this town was visited by an immense flock of birds, 

 of many species, but principally starlings, and their proceedings for 

 some time created alarm. They swarmed on the chimney tops and 

 on other parts of high buildings, while others were wheeling about 

 and uttering cries as though they had been seized with a panic, 

 dashing themselves against the walls, &c., with such violence that 

 scores were picked up next morning dead ; while I should say at 

 least a hundred or two were captured in houses, having fallen 

 down the chimneys. * * * * I have seen many of the birds, 

 starlings, snipe, -ringed-dotterel, wild-duck, fyc., and I have been 

 informed by others of wild-geese, partridges, thrushes, blackbirds, 

 &c., being in the flock. The night was dark, the stars being 

 faintly visible, and it was impossible to tell from what direction 

 they had come." 



