328 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



part of the heath, at a considerable distance from the river or 

 marshes. Came upon a Common Whitethroat's nest in a clump 

 of "butcher's broom" on the cliff, a few yards only from that of 

 the Shellducks. Saw both of the latter birds together at about 

 three o'clock this afternoon. Noticed a single Norfolk Plover 

 standing in the middle of a large ploughed field adjoining the 

 heath ; it was calling loudly. Heard more of these birds about 

 three hours later on ; also a Nightjar. 



18th. A Kestrel seen for the first time since coming here. 

 Some Swifts were hawking over the river to-day. 



20th. Looked at a " Tit box" fixed last March on a garden- 

 wall at Blaxhall, and found a Blue Tit sitting on eggs. 



21st. Went to Leiston. A Jay seen on the way. This, 

 owing to persecution by gamekeepers, is fast becoming a rare bird 

 here. Noticed several pairs of Yellow Wagtails in the Leiston 

 marshes. My brother has seen a male Teal about for some time 

 past : several Wigeon, he told me, remained there during the 

 Hoods, and among them a few Pintails, as well as a male Scaup, 

 and a small party of Godwits. He has only seen one pair of 

 Shovellers. He also mentioned having met with a small Sand- 

 piper, on the marshes, which he could not make out, it being 

 neither Totanus ochropus nor hypoleucus, — the note, too, being 

 unlike that of either species. 



22nd. A single Dunlin and a King Dotterel were feeding this 

 morning on the mud, keeping close together, as if they had been 

 birds of the same species. Counted, with the aid of a telescope, 

 thirty-three Herons at once, standing about the mud and in the 

 water, opposite the heronry. I have no doubt there were more 

 which, owing to the distance, escaped notice, while others kept 

 Hying about, and like the Irishman's pig, would not keep still 

 enough to be counted. A pair of Common Sandpipers were 

 running about, near the limekiln, both to-day and yesterday. 

 Watched the Shellducks to their nest. Their proceedings were 

 as usual, excepting that two turns instead of one were taken 

 round the trees, the duck dropping during the second. Probably 

 I was nearer than they thought desirable, and a little extra 

 caution was deemed necessary. 



27th. First saw a Spotted Flycatcher at Blaxhall. 



28th. Having been away since the 26th, I went this evening 

 to see if the Shellduck's nest was safe, and had the mortification 



