DECEMBER 269 



islands as a nesting-place, the glossy ibis recurs pretty 

 frequently as a bird of passage, and it is truly exas- 

 perating to know that it is only the infernal diligence 

 of gunners and collectors that prevents us being more 

 familiar with the aspect of this beautiful creature, 

 like a glorified curlew, clad in russet and bronze, with 

 reflected gleams of purple and green. 



'Sept. 4. Immediately following the party of ibises, 

 and impelled no doubt by the same cause (a wave of intense 

 autumnal heat), came a misguided flock of thirteen red- 

 crested pochards (whistling ducks) which settled on Breydon 

 Mere, never to return. Eight were taken by Mr. So-and-So, 

 etc., etc. 



1 August 8. Purple heron (immature) shot at Barton . . . 

 15th August. Spoonbill on Breydon, seen again on 17th, 

 18th, and 20th. This or another was subsequently shot at 

 Aldeburgh in Suffolk, where I learn of five being seen.' 



Spoonbills used to breed regularly in England, and 

 doubtless would do so again if they were allowed a 

 chance ; but the persecution will only cease when our 

 countrymen have been persuaded or constrained to 

 regard rare birds as visitors to be encouraged, instead 

 of done to violent death. 



The other kind of casualty chronicled by Mr. Gurney 

 is of the kind which lawyers call an ' act of God,' and 

 being incidental to life on the wing, may well raise 

 some qualms, even in the minds of those who are 

 most eagerly anticipating the development of aerial 

 locomotion. 



On February 8 came a violent storm of snow and 

 hail, with twenty minutes of incessant lightning. The 



