212 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



MEALY EEDPOLE. 



Case 289. 



This species is only an autumn and winter visitor to 

 onr shores, at times appearing in considerable flocks. 



I have known Jit plentiful in Sussex, frequenting 

 the alder bushes in the interior of the county, and 

 also being occasionally met with in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of Brighton. In Norfolk, the vicinity 

 of Norwich appears a most favourite locality for this 

 bird. It is also at times observed in various parts ot 

 the British Islands. 



The specimens in the case were obtained among 

 the alder trees on the banks of the Heigham river, 

 near Norwich, in December, 1873. 



OS PEE Y. (IMMATURE.) 

 Case 290. 



It is seldom that a season passes without a 

 specimen or two of this species being either seen 

 or o.btained in the Southern or Eastern Counties ; 

 the rivers and ponds of Sussex and the broads 

 of Norfolk appear to be particularly favourite 

 resorts. 



The Osprey is probably three or four years old 

 before it pairs and nests; those that are observed 

 in the South during the Summer are still in the 

 immature state. 



The bird, which is in the second or third years' 

 plumage, was shot with a punt gun while perched 

 on a stake on Breydon Mud Elats, in May, 1871. 



