122 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



supposed nests of 1861 and 1870 being in all probability Mon- 

 tagu's ; but the latter no doubt breeds every year, or tries to do so. 

 The Marsh Harrier has become very scarce, and there probably 

 has not been a nest anywhere in the eastern counties since 

 about 1885. The birds are persecuted to the death whenever 

 seen, but happily I have not heard of a Marsh Harrier being 

 shot this year. 



Owing to the dry weather 1896 was a great breeding season 

 for Partridges and Pheasants, but Snipe and Woodcock were very 



Pheasant shot at Hauling. 



scarce. Less than half an inch of rain fell in the important 

 month of May, the returns, as taken in an open place on my 

 lawn, being — April, '94 in. ; May, *46 in. ; June, 2'20 in. ; July, 

 "89 in. ; August, 1*77 in. At the end of August the year's rain- 

 fall was nearly five inches deficient. All this was splendid for 

 the Partridges, which multiplied exceedingly ; so that three guns 

 in September obtained 1005 at Hockwold in one day. Even this 

 performance was exceeded at Houghton and Holkham, at the 

 latter place 1117 Partridges being brought to bag by eight guns; 



