360 



BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



procured in Norfolk, and the particulars of its occur- 

 rence were thus described by the late Mr. J. D. Hoy, 

 in the "Magazine of NaturalHistory " for 1837 (new 

 series, vol. i., p. 116) : " It was shot on the 25th of 

 May, 1836, on the muddy flats of Breydon Broad. It 

 was in company with some dunlins and ring-plovers. 

 From the season of the year it had probably acquired 

 its summer plumage, and it very closely agrees with 

 the nuptial garb of the species as given by Temminck. 

 This bird is rather inferior in size to the dunlin, but may 

 be always readily distinguished from that species by 

 the peculiar form of the bill, as well as by considerable 

 difference in plumage. This specimen was preserved 

 by a friend of mine,* who did not notice the sex. It is 

 probable that this sandpiper may occasionally be found 

 on our eastern coasts during the time of its periodical 

 flights, but, from its similarity to one or two closely 

 allied species, has hitherto escaped detection." This 

 supposition has been fully borne out, insomuch as two 

 other examples have been since killed on Breydon, and 

 both having been picked out from amongst a number of 

 dunlins and ringed-plovers shot at the same time ; it is 

 more than probable that others may have been passed 

 over unnoticed. Of the two latter specimens, the first, 

 in Mr. J. H. Gurney's collection, was killed on Breydon, 

 May 25th, 1856, and proved to be a male, in breeding 

 plumage, as recorded by Mr. Gurney in the "Zoolo- 

 gist" (p. 5159). The second, in my own possession, 

 from which Mr. Gould has made a drawing for his 

 " Birds of Great Britain," I purchased, in the flesh, on 



* In Dr. Bree's description of Mr. Hoy's collection of birds, 

 at Stoke Nayland, published in the " Field " of 1867 (vol. xxx., 

 p. 466), it is particularly stated that there is no evidence of this 

 specimen ever having been in Mr. Hoy's possession, nor can I 

 ascertain what has become of it. 



