ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORFOLK. 107 



they were again seen there in December. Two or three were 

 also lately noticed by Mr. Buxton in a small " bay " on the north 

 side of Fritton lake, where it was believed they were extinct (cf. 

 Norwich N. Tr. vi. p. 436). A nest, found by Mr. Bird, on the 

 1st, contained eight eggs on the 6th, a large clutch, six being the 

 usual complement. Very few eggs are taken now, there being a 

 general desire on all hands to protect this charming bird before 

 it is too late. 



24th. — Four or five Gadwall on Scoulton Mere, evidently 

 nesting; and about one thousand Black-headed Gulls; but no 

 Black Terns there this year. One Gadwall was feeding in the 

 water, as if she had left her nest and was hungry ; while the 

 drake kept guard over his consort until the boat was within 

 thirty yards of her. I never identified Gadwall on Scoulton 

 Mere before ; but the keeper says they have been there all the 

 winter ; so perhaps these birds' limited area is spreading. I also 

 received some from a small lake at Watton, where they do not 

 breed, but regularly appear as visitors. They are tolerably 

 common in West Norfolk, probably more than a hundred pair 

 of them ; and fifteen years ago there were even more, but never 

 fifteen hundred on one property as has been said. They have 

 never been known to nest on the Broads. 



25th. — Lesser Spotted Woodpecker's nest, with three eggs, 

 at Spixworth ; and another nest at Rollesby (Cole); this bird 

 probably also bred at Frammingham Earl. 



30th. — Lesser Redpoll's nest at Ingham ; about two hun- 

 dred nests of the Black-headed Gull at Somerton Broad ; and 

 a pair of Garganey at Horsey (Bird). An Aylesbury Duck, 

 belonging to Mrs. Blythe, has laid an egg measuring eleven and 

 a quarter inches in circumference ; a monstrosity indeed ! 



June. 



3rd.— A Little Bittern at Hickling (Bird). 



7th. — Two pairs of Norfolk Plovers,! probably nesting. One 

 had a very yellow bill, and from its general tameness and running 

 in front of us, must, we thought, have young ; but a careful search 

 failed to find them. Mr. Norgate tells me that the Ringed Plover 

 will occasionally lay to the eggs of this species ; and at Harling 

 both are common, proprietors for the most part protecting them. 



