3102 Tue ZooLocist—JUNE, 1872. 
Ornithological Notes from Norfolk. 
By Henry Stevenson, and J. H. Gurney, Jun., Esqrs. 
(Continued from Zool. S. S. 3048.) 
APRIL. 
Missel Thrush.—Missel thrushes’ nests are unusually common, 
as might have been expected,—more so than blackbirds’. They 
are also low this year, as I have seen four (with eggs in) not more 
than four feet from the ground, and at Trimmingham there was one 
found on a bank. The common altitude seems to be about twelve 
feet, but they are occasionally far higher. The nestling is very 
different from a song thrush’s,—the down being far whiter, and I 
observe that they are sometimes of different sizes, as if they were 
hatched on different days. On the 30th I found a nest containing 
a young bird which had evidently been hatched some hours, as it 
was dry, and three eggs. I happened to have in my pocket a dead 
missel thrush, which I had found caught in an unbaited post-trap, 
set for an owl. This I placed upon the nest, and retired to a 
distance to watch, while the parents flew about with many harsh 
screams: at length one of them returned and examined the 
usurper, first on one side and then on the other. I have not seen 
any chaffinch’s nests in the same trees as missel thrushes’ (see 
‘Birds of Europe,’ part vi).. They generally nest away from 
habitations about here. 
Carrion Crow.—During the last few years this species has 
shown a desire to re-establish itself in several localities near 
Norwich. I saw an old bird, which had been shot at Hethersett 
on the 27th, and I learn that a nest was built this year at Earlham. 
Keswick is also a favourite spot. 
Spring Migrants.—On the 5th of March Mr. Gunn saw a male 
redstart at Hellesdon, being about the earliest I ever heard of. 
The average arrival of the swallow was not before the 12th. The 
wryneck was heard on the 28rd of March at Sparham, by Mr. 
Norgate; on the 6th of April at Lynn, on the 7th at Earlham, on 
the 10th at Beeston and Keswick, and on the 12th at Hempstead. 
The earliest date obtained for the nightingale was the 9th of April, 
at Feltwell. Sand martin, April 13th, Hempstead. Blackcap, 
April 8th, Lynn; 11th, Keswick. I did not see one here before 
the 23rd, which, however, is earlier than it has arrived for five 
