186 BIRDS OP NORFOLK. 



"Zoologist" (p. 1322) as falling short in all its measure- 

 ments of the usual size of the species, attributable, no 

 doubt, to "an old fracture of the thigh bone, which 

 was discovered when the bird was dissected for preser- 

 vation." 



Of more recent instances, the following comprise, 

 I have no doubt, a large proportion of the specimens 

 either observed or procured in this county. 



1845. Two old males killed at Salthouse, as recorded 

 by Mr. Dowell. 



1847. May 2nd. A fine old male killed on the 

 Bure, near Yarmouth ; another, also a male, but in im- 

 mature plumage, was shot on the 19th, at Salthouse 

 ("Zoologist," p. 1785). In Mr. Dowell's notes two are 

 also stated to have frequented the Blakeney coast for 

 some weeks towards the end of August ; and on October 

 27th, a fine female, in Mr. Dowell's possession, was 

 killed at Salthouse, having been previously seen for 

 some days about Blakeney harbour. 



1848. February llth. Mr. Dowell records one as 

 taken in the Langham decoy ; and on the 15th of 

 November a female was brought to him in the flesh, 

 having been seen in company with another at Salthouse. 

 It had been previously wounded in the leg, and was 

 then too much injured for preservation. " This bird is 

 said to have resorted, at intervals, to a marsh at that 

 place for nearly a month previous to its capture." 

 ("Zoologist," p. 1966). 



1849. June. A male killed near Yarmouth, as 

 recorded by Mr. Gurney in the " Zoologist" (p. 2499) ; 

 and another at Salthouse in the same year, in the 

 Dennis collection, at Bury. 



1850. June 18th. An adult male at Breydon, also 

 in the Bury Museum. 



1852. Mr. Dowell informs me that in this year 

 throughout March and part of April a pair of spoon- 



