398 The zoologist. 



within 200 miles on either side, yet they could hardly have 

 touched on the Norfolk or Lincolnshire coasts without their being 

 recognised. 



(7). In the case of the Suffolk birds the flock was seen coming 

 in from the sea. Of course an escaped flock might fly out to sea 

 and return again to land, but the chances are against their 

 doing so. 



(8). The entire absence of any records of escapes. This 

 seems a strong point in favour of their being wild. If these 

 birds were escapes they must have escaped in flocks — in one case 

 of twenty, and others of fourteen, ten, and eight. It is hardly 

 possible that great batches of birds like these could leave orna- 

 mental waters without the proprietor being aware of the fact. 

 There were perhaps some forty or fifty Ruddy Sheldrakes in 

 Great Britain at the commencement of July, yet not one single 

 Sheldrake, so far, has been publicly notified to have escaped. 



(9). The improbability of being suddenly deluged with escapes 

 this year, when in former seasons even escaped birds have been 

 anything but common. 



(10). The fact that every specimen obtained has been shot on 

 or quite close to the coast, none being recorded from inland 

 waters. 



In conclusion, I should like to thank the numerous cor- 

 respondents, to most of whom I was entirely unknown, who have 

 freely given — often at great length — all the information at their 

 disposal. Without their assistance it would have been impossible 

 to have gathered together these records, and whatever interest 

 this paper may possess is due to their ready and kindly help. 



ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORFOLK. 

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



During the winter of 1891-92 there was nothing very 

 remarkable to report. Mr. Cole had two Egyptian Geese, and 

 Lord Kimberley saw three Goosanders on his lake, and a Goose 

 which he judged to be a Bean Goose. A young Black Guillemot 

 was picked up alive on the shore at Cromer, and taken to 

 Mr. White, the birdstuffer's, where I saw it. A Sea Eagle 

 frequented Holkham, and was seen by Colonel Feilden and 



