Birds. 1323 



it is supposed by some naturalists to have been formerly more 

 common. 



Common Curlew, Numenius arquata. The curlew is occasionally 

 found in Norfolk in the summer months, but we are not aware of any 

 instance of its breeding in the county. The large body of curlews 

 arrives in the months of September and October, and it is a common 

 species in the neighbourhood of the coast throughout the autumn and 

 early spring, and also in winter, except perhaps in very severe wea- 

 ther. The curlew is repeatedly mentioned in the accounts of the Les- 

 tranges, and the following entry among others, shows that at that 

 time it bore a high price. " Itm pd. at Snetishm M'kett for iij 

 curlewes ijs." 



Whimbrel, Numenius phaopus. Occurs in much the same manner 

 as the species last mentioned, but in decidedly smaller numbers. We 

 have reason to believe that it is this species which is occasionally 

 mentioned in the accounts of the Lestranges as the "Spowe." 



Spotted Redshank, Totanus fuscus. Not uncommon about the end 

 of summer and early in autumn, the specimens so occurring being 

 generally young birds ; it is also occasionally obtained at other 

 periods of the year, and we have seen examples killed in the 

 spring, which had nearly attained the full plumage of the breeding 

 season. 



Common Redshank, Totanus calidris. Common throughout the 

 year, and nests with us, laying its eggs about the end of April ; a few 

 individuals probably go further south in severe weather, and their 

 numbers are somewhat increased in spring and autumn by migratory 

 birds, respectively proceeding northwards and southwards. 



Green Sandpiper, Totanus ochropus. Occurs in some numbers, 

 both in the vicinity of the coast, and in the inland marshy districts of 

 the county, and a few well authenticated instances of its breeding in 

 Norfolk are on record. We have observed it about the end of July, 

 but its principal migratory movements may be considered to take 

 place towards the end of August, and in the months of April and 

 May. 



Wood Sandpiper, Totanus glareola. Occurs occasionally in Nor- 

 folk, at the beginning and end of summer. We are informed by Mr. 

 Scales, that several years ago, he shot two of these birds during the 

 summer in a marsh near Beachamwell, one of which was an old 

 female, and the other a young bird, not yet having entirely lost its 

 down ; and the latter, which we have endeavoured to represent, 



