1692 Birds. 



ing to drive in its skull with her beak, when the net was drawn, and both birds captured 

 alive and unhurt. In confinement, this shrike feeds upon mice and small birds, which 

 it fixes between the wires of its cage, and then pulls to pieces. Another shrike was ob- 

 served near the spot, but was not taken. In the act of pouncing on its prey, this bird 

 had much the appearance of a martin. 



The quail has again occurred ; an example having in this instance been taken near 

 some stacks in the vicinity of Norwich ; at the end of January it was still kept alive 

 in a cage. 



Several goosanders were brought to Norwich in the latter part of the month : 

 three of these were adult males ; one of which was killed at Hickling, one at Lynn, 

 and one at Upton. One or two specimens of the red-breasted merganser and of the 

 shrew have also occurred, but with the exception of a single adult example of the 

 latter species, we believe that the individuals captured were all in immature plumage. 

 The smew usually occurs at a somewhat later period of the winter than in the month 

 of January. 



February. With the exception of the capture of a few specimens of the sanderling 

 on the coast early in this month, some of which had made considerable progress in the 

 attainment of the nuptial plumage, we know of no ornithological occurrence worth 

 recording. 



The liver of a hake {Merlucius vulgaris) which was lately captured off Sherring- 

 ham, and measured about 2\ feet in length, was observed to be much infested with 

 parasitic worms ; a mass of these animals, which must have amounted to a quarter of 

 a pint, being attached to it. Each worm formed a separate coil of about one-eighth of 

 an inch in diameter ; and besides the mass to which we have alluded, many single 

 worms had formed separate nests in various parts of the surface of the liver. 



We are informed by Mr. John Smith, of Yarmouth, that the angel-fish (Squatina 

 angelus) occurred twice at that place in the course of last year ; a young example hav- 

 ing been captured in June, and a specimen measuring 4 feet 6 inches in length in 

 August. The latter fish was taken at the sole-grounds, and measured 3 feet 7 inches 

 across the pectoral, and 1 foot 7 inches across the ventral fins. — J. H. Gurney, 

 William R. Fisher ; February, 1847. 



Rare Birds occurring near Bridlington in the Winter of 1846-7. — I learn from Mr. 

 Jones, the bird-preserver, at Bridlington, that the following rare birds have occurred 

 there during the past winter. Several glaucous gulls, in immature plumage ; two in 

 adult plumage ; one Iceland gull, in immature plumage, shot in the harbour ; eight or 

 ten specimens of the little auk ; two fine specimens of the male hen harrier ; two of 

 the gray-backed shrike ; several golden-eyes, smews, one grosbeak, &c. — F. O. 

 Morris ; Nafferton Vicarage, near Driffield, March 20th, 1847. 



Rare Birds occurring near Ipswich. — The following rare birds have been brought 

 me in the flesh : — 



Honey-buzzard, shot by E. Candler, Esq., Theberton, Suffolk. 



Osprey, shot by J. Howard, Rushmere, Suffolk. 



Spotted crake, shot by R. Newson, Ipswich. 



Adult spoonbill, shot by F. Fuller, Esq., Aldborough, Suffolk. 



Eared grebe, (Podiceps auritus), shot by a gamekeeper, Nacton, Suffolk. 



Curlew sandpiper, shot by F. Fuller, Esq., Aldborough, July 31st, 1845. 



Wood sandpiper (Totanus glareola), shot by G. Ransome, Aldborough, August 

 1st, 1845. 



