Birds. 1303 



Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus. Common throughout the year, and 

 breeds in the county. We have seen a kestrel, taken from the nest in 

 the spring of 1844, which is entirely destitute of the pigment of the 

 choroid coat at the back of one eye. The eye is blind and perfectly 

 transparent, in that respect differing from the eye of an albino, 

 in which the pigment being present, though colourless, is available for 

 sight. In the specimen alluded to, the other eye is perfect. 



Goshawk, Astur palumharius. The goshawk is an occasional visi- 

 tant in Norfolk, one or two examples being generally obtained every 

 year. These chiefly occur in early spring and autumn, and are for the 

 most part in immature plumage. 



Sparrow-hawk, Accipiter nisus. The sparrow-hawk is common 

 and breeds in Norfolk, but is a rather less numerous species than the 

 kestrel. 



Kite, Milvus vulgaris. The kite is a rare bird in Norfolk, and very 

 irregular in its visits. It has, however, been occasionally known 

 to breed with us, and we believe that it regularly does so in the neigh- 

 bouring county of Huntingdon. 



Common Buzzard, Buteo vulgaris. A regular autumnal migrant to 

 this district, but not in large numbers. It is probable that a few pair 

 breed in the county, but no instance of their doing so has come under 

 our observation. 



A Buzzard which was lately taken near Cromer, was so closely pur- 

 sued by two young sparrow-hawks, that the latter were both killed by 

 a discharge from the second barrel of the same gun with which the 

 buzzard had just previously been shot. 



Rough-legged Buzzard, Buteo lagopus. The immature birds of this 

 species visit us in autumn, but vary exceedingly in their numbers ; 

 being very plentiful in some years, and in others so scarce as to be 

 hardly obtainable. The adult bird has occurred, but is always ex- 

 tremely rare. 



The rough-legged buzzard is destructive to partridges, and also to 

 rabbits, and we know an instance of a stoat having been found in the 

 stomach of one which was shot near Lynn. 



The last instance of the occurrence of this bird on the eastern coast 

 in large numbers, was in the winter of 1839-40 ; at which period they 

 were so numerous that during the three months of November, Decem- 

 ber, and January, no less than forty-seven specimens were ascertained 

 to have been taken within eight miles of the town of Thetford, besides 

 many others which were procured elsewhere. 



Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus. Occasionally appears in Norfolk 



