THE ZooLocist— May, 1876. 4895 
it possible, to ascertain how far these congregations of a species, 
rarely seen in flocks, is due to actual immigration or to an inland 
migration of residents driven out from the broads and fens of the 
county by the heavy floods of November, and the depth of water 
still unsubsided in some localities. Snipe, plover, and other 
marsh birds were either driven out of the county or to the upland 
fields from the extent of the floods, and even waterhens cannot 
exist on an interminable waste of water, and would be likely, 
therefore, to migrate for a time to any stream and meadow-lands 
affording food and foothold, essential to their wellbeing. Very 
large numbers of gulls and lapwings, in the early part of the year, 
were attracted to the marsh-lands immediately surrounding this 
city—no doubt to feast on the drowned worms in the meadows, as 
the waters subsided; and I have heard strange stories of the rats, 
washed out of their haunts in the “ fens,” committing great ravages 
upon the upland root-crops and granary stores. In some places 
they might be seen collected in bunches on the trees, surprised by 
the sudden rush of the waters over the fen-banks, and boys in 
boats amused themselves by catching, in buckets, the numbers 
seen swimming about and seeking, like the antediluvians of old, 
some spot still raised above the rising flood. Woodcocks, from 
the same cause, driven from low-lying carrs and plantations, have 
been shot in localities where they are rarely met with. 
Hafinch.—A male was shot at East Carlton on the 2nd, one at 
Flordon on the 9th, and another at Sprowston, near Norwich, on 
the 26th. 
Great Spotted Woodpecker.—An adult male was shot at Thorpe 
Market on the 27th. 
Jack Snipe.—A few of these birds were met with in some inland 
marshes about the middle of the month, but no whole snipe with 
them. 
Blackheaded Gull.—Mr. Purdy informs me that, when driving 
between Ingworth and Cromer, on the 24th, he saw an almost 
continuous flight of small gulls passing inland, and as some had 
distinctly black heads he presumed they were all of this species. 
On reaching Cromer he made out with his glass a large white 
mass of birds, on the water about a mile from the beach, to be 
also small gulls. Similar flights were observed the same day from 
the North Walsham road pursuing a like course inland. 
