SOME BIRD NOTES 281 



Oct. 12th. Very low tide to-day. Walked to Ormesby by 

 beach. The Cross sand lying off this village 

 was visible for a long distance ; and for a mile 

 of its length it was tenanted by an enormous 

 flock of gulls, probably numbering three 

 thousand. This was certainly a rare experi- 

 ence for the gulls. 



2'jth. Continuous flights of Norwegian larks coming 

 over. Wind, S.W. On this wind most of the 

 migrants came in this year. 



Nov. \6th. Wild afternoon. 



2$th. Twice lately have razorbills, wearied out by 

 the rough weather and seas, been taken alive 

 on the beach, and brought to me. Do what 

 I would, neither birds could be made to feed, 

 even throwing up again pieces of fish forced 

 down their throats. 



Dec. \%th. Coots numerous on Breydon ; also several red- 

 shanks there, a rather unusual circumstance in 

 winter. 



1902 



Mar. i$th. Sparrows are a perfect pest in the St. George's 

 Park, having found something very much to 

 their liking in the flowers of the yellow 

 crocuses. Row after row have been de- 

 stroyed, and the petals bestrew the soil. Next 

 to the yellow, the white is favoured with their 

 attentions ; the purple variety they let pretty 

 well alone. 



May \2th. With the old gunners there was a saying, 

 " Twelfth of May godwit-day." Gave some 

 time to Breydon to-day, but not a single god- 

 wit rewarded my search. Tempora mutantur, 

 nos et mutamur in illis! 



June 2nd. Three turnstones, exceedingly late birds on 

 Breydon ; a still later oyster-catcher there on 

 June 20th. 



y&th. Considerable number of greater black-backed 

 gulls on Breydon. Been here some days, and 

 will no doubt remain all summer ; they are, 

 without question, non-breeders. 



Oct. ^oth. During the past week several shore-larks have 

 been taken by bird-catchers. 



