296 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Blaxhall, which is suspended, like that of a Goldcresf, on the 

 under side of a spruce-fir bough. 



2nd. Heard Norfolk Plovers calling this evening at about a 

 quarter past eight. There seemed to be several, judging by the 

 noise they made. 



3rd. Saw three Starlings come out of Sand Martin's holes in 

 the cliff. GEdicnemus very " crepitant " again to-night. First 

 heard at about five minutes past eight. 



5th. Saw this evening, at about eight o'clock, a single 

 Norfolk Plover flying towards a bare part of the heath, much 

 frequented by these birds. Two more afterwards passed me, 

 going in the same direction and flying very low. They came 

 from the Friston side of the river. There is, I think, a certain 

 duck-like character about the flight of this interesting, but very 

 local, bird. 



6th. First heard the Turtle Dove. During a period of 

 sixteen years the earliest arrival of this bird in East Suffolk, 

 which I have a note of, was on April 20th, in the year 1876 ; the 

 latest, May 22nd, in 1879. For ten years out of the sixteen it 

 has made its appearance during the first week of May, and three 

 times in the second week. This beautiful bird is generally 

 abundant with us, and does good service by devouring the seeds 

 of innumerable weeds. Like most pigeons it drinks very often. 

 Many Turtle Doves come for this purpose to the sloping drinking- 

 places made for the benefit of cattle in the marshes. 



7th. Heard a Starling imitate the Curlew's whistle very 

 perfectly. The notes of the Curlew, Heron, and Peewit are all 

 constantly mimicked by Starlings here, — being perhaps the bird- 

 sounds oftenest heard by them while seeking their food about 

 the marshes and by the river. I have also heard this delightful 

 bird reproduce the croak of the Mallard, the distant chattering 

 quack of ducks on the wing, and the cheerful note of the Jackdaw. 

 No Norfolk Plovers heard to-night. 



8th. Saw to-day, at a distance, a large duck-like bird, 

 apparently nearly all white, which puzzled me a good deal at the 

 time. It was flying over the river, the flight being more like 

 that of a goose than a duck. Heard a Corn Crake to-night not 

 far from Snape Bridge : this by no means a common bird in this 

 district. 



9th. Again saw the bird noticed yesterday, in company 



