226 THE ZOOLOGIST* 



for etchings is unsuitable for printing photo-gravures. But, in 

 spite of these drawbacks, they are extremely pleasing and effective 

 realisations of the author's descriptions. The " Tidal Water," it 

 were almost needless to remark, is Breydon Harbour, and the 

 thirty illustrations have all been taken in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood of Great Yarmouth. 



As regards the text, the descriptions are lightly written, and 

 some of the dialogues with Norfolk fishermen, in which charac- 

 teristic provincialisms are introduced, are amusing enough. 

 There are two or three irrelevant chapters which possess no 

 interest for any but the author, and might well have been 

 omitted. From the zoologist's point of view the most useful 

 portion of the work is the " Appendix," by Mr. Fielding Harmer, 

 entitled " Breydon Water, Past and Present," with notes on the 

 rarer birds procured there, and a chart showing the channels, 

 and soundings in feet, at low water. 



Forty-five years' experience as a punt-gunner has enabled 

 Mr. Harmer to write authoritatively on the subject, and his 

 account of this celebrated resort of wildfowl — which, if measured 

 at its extreme limits, is four and a half miles long by a mile and 

 a half broad-— will be perused with interest by all naturalists who 

 are also sportsmen. 



By the name " Breydon " is understood all that is contained 

 within the flint-faced banks which border the water on either 

 side, and prevent the flooding of the adjoining marshes when the 

 spring tides are forced up by strong N.W. winds. Within these 

 banks are formed the channels, creeks, mud-flats, saltings, and 

 crops of sea-grass {Zostera). As this piece of water lies in nearly 

 the most easterly part of England, and opens into the North Sea, 

 it is naturally most attractive to the wildfowl which come south 

 in the autumn and go north in the spring. Mr. Harmer considers 

 that more rare birds have been shot on Breydon and the adjoining 

 marshes than anywhere else in England. 



During the last twenty years great changes have been taking 

 place. The channels have been gradually filling up, and there 

 are indications that, before many more years can elapse, the 

 whole extent of Breydon Water, with the exception of the main 

 channel, will be dry at low water. The reed-beds have all dis- 

 appeared ; half of the saltings have been washed away, two 

 having entirely disappeared ; the marshes have been drained ; the 



