THE BIRDS OF GREAT YARMOUTH. 167 



Dec. 6th, 1890. 



Tufted Ducks (several). 5 Golden-eyes. 



Duck and Mallard (several). Pochard and Wigeon (several). 



1 White-fronted Goose. Moor-hens and Coots (several). 



Snipe (several). 1 Red-throated Diver. 



1 Goosander. 2 Curlews. 



Snipe (number). 12 Water-Rails. 



3 Bewick's Swans. 3 Dabchicks. 



(making 5 for week). 2 Short-eared Owls. 



3 Barn Owls. 1 Kestrel. 

 Small birds (many). 



Dec. 20th, 1890. 



1 Bewick's Swan. 1 Red-throated Diver. 

 23 Scaups. 1 Redshank. 



9 Wigeon. 16 Pochards. 



2 Goosanders. 1 Shoveler. 

 17 Woodcocks. 2 Teal. 



2 White-fronted Geese. 36 Knots. 



20 Tufted Ducks. Many small birds. 



1 Shelduck. 



It goes without saying that rare species soon change hands, 

 the bulk of the commoner kinds going in hampers at night to 

 Leadenhall Market. 



Up to within recent years local gunners, except in the case of 

 isolated intelligent sportsmen-naturalists, were so eager to shoot 

 birds en gros, and were so ready to turn their victims into pence, 

 that many rarities without doubt escaped notice, and were con- 

 signed to the cuisine. Many a scarce Sandpiper has been strung 

 together with a parcel of Dunlins, and so spoiled for a specimen. 

 On Sept. 8th, 1881, a gunner killed six Little Stints (Tringa 

 minuta), and, taking them home, cooked them, ascertaining their 

 identity almost immediately afterwards. It is on record that 

 Lilly Wigg, an old-time Yarmouth naturalist, cooked and ate a 

 Red-breasted Goose (Bernicla riificollis), and did not even guess 

 as to its species until the feathers afterwards attracted his 

 attention. 



During the first invasion of Pallas's Sand Grouse, a local 

 gunner shot an example on the North Denes, taking it to a 

 dealer named Watson (who in his day received many a vara avis), 

 who gave him half-a-crown for it ; one long tail-feather had been 

 shot away. Watson offered him another half-crown if he would 

 find the missing one, which he did. Another rural sportsman 

 emptied a bag of common birds on a dealer's stall some years 

 ago, " throwing in " a specimen he did not know, and so did not 

 value it. It proved to be a Buff-backed Heron. 



