96



Mr. J. H. Gurney,



the open season, chiefly consist of the latter species and the Varied

Turnix ( Turnix varia), or locally known “Painted” or “Dotterel

Quail,” belonging to the Order Hemipodii. Mention, too, must be-

made of the Collared Plain-Wanderer ( Pedionomus torquatus), a

comparatively rare species, allied to the Turnicidce, and the only

representative of the Sub-order Pedionomi. This bird, which has.

the habit of crouching down, is not infrequently caught by dogs„

or even with the hand.



ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT FOR NORFOLK.


By J. H. Gurney, F.Z.S.


[Reprinted from the ‘ Zoologist.’]


July.


15th.—An Avocet on Breydon Broad, but it only stayed two

days (G. Jary).


16th.—Two young Grey Crows at Sidestrand about this,

date (Sir S. Hoare). Last w 7 eek one was seen near Thetford.


August.


21st.— The Food of Starlings. — Three Starlings shot at

Keswick and submitted for microscopic dissection to Mr. John

Hamond were found to contain Noctuid larvae, weevils, Carabid

beetles, and a few elderberries. On September 5th four more, killed

at the same place, w T ere sent to the School of Agriculture, and the

followdng report on their stomachs was drawn up by Mr. Hamond,

which may be compared with the report on those killed in April,

1910 (‘ Zool.,’ 1911, p. 173).


Mr. F. J. Mann, of Shropham, considers that Starlings cause

him a loss of three “ comb ” per acre on every acre of wheat. When

the wheat is up, they get down to the young roots with their strong

beaks, and so destroy all further germination. Whether they are

seeking wireworms, or whether they are after grain, the result is the

same to the wheat, which shrivels up and perishes.


25th.-—Mr. E. Saunders informs me of a young Pintail Duck

on Breydon Broad — a very early arrival, if not one escaped from,

captivity.



