140 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORTH NORFOLK. 

 By J. H. GuRNEY, JuN., F.Z.S. 



The following notes relate to ornithological occurrences in 

 this county between July 1st and December 31st, 1886. The 

 mildness of the past autumn was as remarkable as the effect it 

 had upon many species of birds, which recommenced nesting 

 operations as if spring had returned. 



On October 14th a Thrush was sitting on four eggs, and a 

 few days previously a Yellowhammer's nest with eggs was found 

 at Cley. About the middle of the mouth a tame Goose began to 

 lay eggs, and several leverets, little bigger than rats, were seen. 

 Several curious varieties of common species were obtained, some 

 of which may be worth mentioning. Amongst others a Wheatear, 

 Saxicola o'liantJie, was shot at Blakeney during the first week in 

 August, which had the whole of the crown and back pure white, 

 the under parts being not much whiter than usual. During 

 September Wheatears were very numerous among the sand-wort 

 and salt-wort bushes and among the marram hillocks. A Wren, 

 Troglodytes europcBus, with pied wings, made its appearance at 

 Northrepps on December 9th, but was not seen again. On 

 Sept. 1st I shot a white variety of the Kinged Plover, Mgialitis 

 hiaticnla, at Cley. On the mud it appeared to be snow-white, 

 but on closer examination proved to have a little brown on the 

 collar, tail, and primaries. It certainly could not have arrived 

 many hours, for so conspicuous an object could hardly have 

 escaped attention. 



It seems probable that the Bittern mentioned at p. 393 of 

 last year's volume, as seen several times in June, found a mate 

 at Ludham Fen and nested there ; for a young one was sent 

 to Mr. Cole, of Norwich, from that place about August 16th. 

 Though fully feathered, and able to have crossed the sea, it is 

 not very likely to have done so at that time of year. 



Four Black Terns, Sterna fissipes, were shot at Cley in 

 August last. They were all young birds, differing a good 

 deal in plumage ; one of them indeed differing so much 

 that it may possibly be a White-winged Black Tern, as the 

 webs are slightly more incised — a mark of distinction noted 

 by Mr. Saunders (Yarrell's ' British Birds,' iii. p. 526) ; but the 



