154 WILD LIFE ON A NORFOLK ESTUARY 



young are blotched with rich brown patches. I think the 

 juvenile stage of Larus ridibundus is far prettier than 

 the more decidedly handsome dress of summer and equally 

 clean trim attire of early winter. Its flesh-coloured ex- 

 tremities are wonderfully in keeping with its pretty plumage. 



I dislike to hear this species called the " Kitty." I'd 

 sooner hear it called the " Scoulton Puit." The true kitti- 

 wake, whose legs are black, very rarely visits Breydon. Only 

 once in my experience have I got close to one, a wounded 

 example, sitting on the apex of the wall, having no doubt 

 flown in from sea. Mr. Dye, some fifteen years ago, shot an 

 adult kittiwake here in November. 



On reaching the Moorhen we at once turn in to light a fire 

 and get tea ready. This task falls to the skipper, and any 

 one who has joined as crew is at liberty meanwhile to have 

 a good look round from the staging, to watch the passing 

 up and down of yachts and wherries in the channel, or to 

 overlook the scattered birds at their ablutions or gleaning up 

 their suppers. 



There remains yet a small bare patch of weed-covered 

 flat in front of us. In an hour it will be under water. A 

 few redshanks and a greenshank or two are restlessly pick- 

 ing at the margin of the encroaching tide, while a few 

 juvenile starlings, whose yellow-billed parents brought them 

 shrimps and " sea lice " from the shrimpers' nets drying at 

 the mastheads in the spring, now glean up crustaceans for 

 themselves among the stranded " raw " and " grass." Early 

 training governs even our appetites ! 



Gossip and tea occupy some time, and it is sundown ere 

 we notice how the time has flown, and dusk before we have 

 cleared away and ceased yarning. Nature lovers find much 

 in common to discourse on, and just as we have stowed 

 away to enjoy an hour's observation outside, in comes 

 Banham, the marshman, with a cheery " Good evenin', 

 gentlemen," for the pipe of good fellowship and a " mardle " ; 

 for those who dwell in solitary places are always glad enough 

 to see strange faces, and to converse on what is happening 

 in the big town yonder, so near and yet so far. Banham 

 has just finished milking, and is weary with a hard day's marsh 

 mowing. His stay is short, for every fine day must be made the 

 most of, and he must needs be early abroad in the morning. 



