442 The Zoologist— October, 1866. 



May : not unfrequently met with in spring in the close vicinity of the 

 coast. 



Hawfinch. — 1 have heard of two or three nests of this species found 

 in different parts of the county this year; one at Weston, where they 

 have been noticed for several successive summers. These birds are, 

 from some cause, decidedly becoming residents, although till lately 

 considered only as winter visitants. 



Common Bittern. — On the l'-2lh of June, when cruising amongst the 

 " Broads" on the River Bure, I saw a bittern, on two occasions, rise 

 from a large reed-bed on Hoveton Broad, which is strictly preserved. 

 This bird had no doubt a mate close by, and had been heard 

 "booming" on previous occasions ; but it is quite twelve years since 

 this species was last known to remain throughout the summer in 

 Norfolk, though formerly most plentiful. 



Spoonbill. — A bird of last year, with a slight crest, was shot near 

 Yarmouth on the 10th of June. 



Crossbill. — On the 15th of July, at Norlhrepps, near Cromer, Mr. 

 Gurney's gamekeeper observed a flock of these birds, passing over the 

 trees in a fir plantation, and calling as they flew. Two or three days 

 before he had killed a red male off a fir tree near his cottage, which was 

 in company with two or three others. As these birds, according to the 

 late Mr. Wheelwright, nest in Sweden as early as February, with deep 

 snow on the ground, these might be a flock of both old and young, 

 passing soutliwards at the close of their breeding season. 



Baillon's Crake. — The greatest novelty of this season is decidedly 

 the occurrence of a nest of this species, at Potter Heigham, near Hick- 

 ling, for the knowledge of which I am indebted to Professor Newton, 

 to whom the particulars were communicated by Mr. W. M. Crowfoot, 

 of Beccles. It appears that the eggs were found by a labouring man, 

 who sold them to a lad at Yarmouth, who had been in the habit of 

 collecting eggs for Mr. Crowfoot. He was of course ignorant as to what 

 they were, but from their novel appearance believed them rare, and 

 at last, after much bargaining, was induced to part with three of them. 

 The old birds were observed, though not recognized, and the nest with 

 four eggs was placed in a parcel of reeds, growing in water, about one 

 foot in depth : it was very small and loosely made, composed of dry 

 rushes. When subsequently searched for, it was found that the reeds 

 had just been cut, and the nest therefore destroyed. 



Henry Stevenson. 

 Norwich, August 20, 1866. 



