168 On Biids noticed during a short visit to Suffolk.


breeding year in St. Margaret’s, as nearly all I saw were birds ot

this year : but though this species was so common, I did not

come across any other. Skylarks were very common.


The Swift (Cyseptus opus') was frequently to be seeti until the

second week in August. I saw one as late as the 13th, but after

that all had disappeared. The flesh of the Starling ( Sturnus

vulgaris ) is very bitter in taste and smell, and it was probably

for this reason that a Kestrel I once had. as a pet, refused to eat

them, although he would accept other birds.


I was surprised to find a Wren’s nest against the trunk ot

a tree near the Island, in exactly the same place as I found one

containing young two years ago ; both nests I should think were

probably built by the same bird or its descendants. With regard

to the so-called “ cock-nests” of this bird, I think that the Wren

probably builds them for employment, as Weavers do in captivity.


The Green Woodpecker fficus viridis') must be very

common in Suffolk, as its laughing cry was to be heard every¬

where. Tree Creepers {Cerlhia familiar is') were not uncommon,

and Turtle Doves ( Turtur communis) fairly numerous. Wood-

Pigeons ( Columba palumbus ) were much commoner than Turtle

Doves, and were always to be found in trees round the Minster.


The nearest Rookery to St. Margarets was an old one at

the Minster, which was apparently, for some unknown reason,

recently deserted. The only time I saw Jackdaws was wdien I

saw some in company with a crowd of Rooks.


I have seen Herons ( Ardea cinereal) probably on their way

to the banks of the Waveney, w'here they are frequently to be

seen.


On the last evening but one of my stay I had a stalk after

a flock of Lapwings ( Vanellus vulgaris) 011 a plough, but did not

succeed in getting a shot. The white in their plumage as they

raised their wings when running about was visible a long way off.

Water hens ( Gallinula chloropus') w r ere common, and distributed

all over the place. In the moat in front of the Rectory they

always breed, and I found a nest at the edge of the reeds a few

yards from the tennis courts, which I consider a strange place for

so shy a bird, as there was no fence or hedge intervening.


With regard to Game birds, there did not seem to be a

very good prospect for the shooting season.



