330 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



bring out a large flat-fish, far too big to swallow whole. 

 After holding it a short time in his beak, as if considering what 

 steps to take next, he flapped slowly across the river. Several 

 other Herons, however, gave chase, and a regular scrimmage 

 ensued, but at such a distance that I was unable to see how 

 the fish was finally disposed of. Possibly in an instance 

 like the above, where the size or shape of the prey prevents 

 it being swallowed whole, the pectinated claw of the middle 

 toe would prove useful, enabling the bird to get a firmer grip 

 with the feet, while the beak was employed in pecking the 

 fish to pieces. 



6th. Found a few specimens of Planorbis nautileus in a road- 

 side ditch in this parish (Iken). Heard Norfolk Plovers calling 

 to-night. 



7th. The Small Heath butterfly is now abundant. Saw a 

 "Gate-keeper" to-day, for the first time, also a Painted Lady. 

 This evening several Bats of some small species were hunting for 

 food about an oak-tree. They threaded their way in and out of 

 the branches with great rapidity, seeming never to touch a leaf 

 or twig. Nightjars heard now every night about some oaks on 

 the heath near Iken wood. These birds have a particular liking 

 for trees (especially oaks), growing alone or in small clumps, on 

 wide, open heaths or other uncultivated ground. 



8th. First noticed the Small Copper butterfly. Saw a single 

 Grey Wagtail near the Cliff, but had unfortunately no glass at 

 the time. It had some dark feathers about the throat, but the 

 markings seemed ill defined. A pair seen by my brother and 

 myself at Mildenhall in the summer of 1865 evidently had a nest 

 close by, though we were unable to find it. 



17th. Saw the first Red Admiral. Noticed some toad- 

 tadpoles at Blaxhall feeding in large numbers on cow- dung. 

 Tadpoles are excellent scavengers : I have watched them eating 

 a dead rat, as well as dead sticklebacks, toads, and even their 

 fellow-tadpoles. 



22nd. Found a Field Vole on the sand at the water's edge, 

 among some sea-weed cast up by the tide. On seeing me it made 

 straight for the water, and swam out boldly. On several other 

 occasions I have met with these little animals close to the water, 

 and seen them plunge in as a rat would, but they do not often 

 swim far. They will sometimes cross a ditch of no great width, 



