ORNITHOLOGICAL RECORD FROM NORFOLK. 127 



the Norfolk specimens were from eggs laid by Hungarian Part- 

 ridges, many of which have been turned out in Norfolk during the 

 last few years, and may have produced this breed. On the other 

 hand, as many as twelve were shot in Northumberland as far back 

 as 1863-71, and another afterwards; Hancock does not suggest 

 that they were introduced. It has also been shot in Ireland, and 

 other parts of England and Scotland from time to time ; and 

 Mr. Cole tells me that one was killed in Norfolk about twenty- 

 four years ago, which passed through his hands. 



14th. — A Coot, which had probably lost its way in the fog, 

 discovered in a horse-pit among houses in Northrepps Street. 



16th. — Spotted Crake at Horsey (E. Saunders). 



December. 



12th. — After a high wind from the west thousands of Wood- 

 Pigeons were seen by Mr. Patterson passing over the town of 

 Yarmouth, and on the same day Mr. Haigh noted their abund- 

 ance in Lincolnshire. About this time there was a great 

 accession to their ranks at Keswick, Hempstead, and other 

 places, and nearly coincident with the visit of the Wood-Pigeons 

 was the arrival of more Woodcocks. 



24th. — The unusual sight of four Keeves's Pheasants in 

 Norwich Market is an indication of the introduction of these 

 long-tailed " rocketers" into Norfolk, but at Merton they are 

 being killed off, as they drive about the common ones ; and for 

 the same reason I have found it impossible to keep Keeves's 

 Pheasant in the same aviary with Amherst's. Occasionally 

 Keeves's Pheasant will produce a very handsome cross with our 

 Common Pheasant, if the plumage of the latter predominates, 

 and we have a good specimen in the Museum. I believe as much 

 as £b0 was given for one of the first pairs of Keeves's Pheasants 

 which came to Norfolk, and several hybrids were bred from 

 them at Earlham ; but they are not popular, in spite of their 

 long tails. 



30th. — Four hundred and sixty-six Coots gathered after the 

 annual Coot battue on Hickling Broad, said to be a record bag 

 for nineteen boats (Bird) ; the art lies in keeping the line un- 

 broken, and leaving the dead to be picked up afterwards. 



