Birds. 635 



readers, that what I may record, if not the result of my own observa- 

 tion, is given on the authority of men not only of undoubted veracity, 

 but, what is of equal importance in the present case, not likely to 

 have been themselves mistaken. 



Should I ever carry out my original intention, and reproduce these 

 notes in another form, accompanied by certain lucubrations not per- 

 haps exactly suited to ' The Zoologist,' I shall then feel bound to 

 express more distinctly my sense of obligation to the gentlemen above 

 alluded to, as well as to others to whom I am equally indebted, al- 

 though in a different manner. But my preface has grown longer than 

 perhaps is meet ; so I will proceed with my notes on The Perchers. 



The Great grey Shrike I can ascertain to have been met with but 

 once. Mr. Butler, of Yarmouth, has in his possession a fine adult 

 male, shot by himself on Yarmouth -common, in the spring of 1841. 

 A female was seen in company, but not obtained. 



The Red-backed Shrike is met with pretty frequently. A pair 

 reared their family last year (1843) in an orchard adjoining my house. 

 The nest was placed on a large horizontal limb of an apple-tree ; and 

 though more than one pair of eyes, and those none of the worst, re- 

 peatedly examined the neighbourhood (for the old birds would not 

 allow us to doubt tho existence of a nest), yet did it escape detection 

 until the young were able to take wing. I have never been able to 

 discover either small birds or insects spitted by the shrike, as have 

 more fortunate observers. The shrike is a late feeder. I frequently 

 see it hawking for crepuscular insects after the sun has gone down. 



The spotted Flycatcher visits us regularly, but not in great num- 

 bers ; and remains to breed. It is, however, unusually common this 

 year, (1844). 



The pied Flycatcher has been met with by Mr. Butler. Mr. Yar- 

 rell states that " Mr. Blyth has seen a specimen that was shot in the 

 Isle of Wight." This reference is most probably to the same bird ; 

 as Mr. Blyth has more than once visited Yarmouth, and is known to 

 Mr. Butler. 



The Missel Thrush, called here the " squawking thrush," abounds ; 

 and is as noisy and courageous in defence of its brood as elsewhere. 



The Fieldfare is common in winter. I have seen very large flocks 

 in the neighbourhood of Black Pan, and in the parish of Newchurch. 



The Sony-thrush is very abundant, and is peculiarly deserving of 

 its name ; for I believe I have heard its notes, and that not occasion- 

 ally only, every month in the year. 



The Redwing accompanies the fieldfare, as is usual ; but during 



