408 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



on the marshes as early as June 22nd, 1896 ; while in 1894 I saw 

 seven on July 31st. Great gathering on Breydon mud-flats prior 

 to leaving, on March 31st, 1898. Local, " Grey Crow " ; " Kentish 

 Crow." 



C.frugilegus. Rook. — C. Apparently increasing. Not much 

 molested, as the natives have formed a better opinion of it than 

 formerly. Great flights from over sea in autumn. On some 

 days, as on Nov. 2nd and 3rd, 1899, incessant streams all day 

 long ; arriving also after dark. Many assume omnivorous ten- 

 dencies, patrolling the shore and mud-flats for edible refuse. I 

 once saw one catch a " Tartar " in a live Crab, which seized it by 

 the throat. Have observed departures from Scratby cliffs in 

 March. In April, 1896, several visited a tree near the market- 

 place. A pair nested, but the young being disturbed, they have 

 not since attempted to nest there. 



Alauda arvensis. Sky-Lark. — C. All the year round. Enor- 

 mous influxes of a dark (Scandinavian) form in autumn. A note- 

 worthy invasion on Feb. 3rd, 1897, when coarse weather from 

 south-east followed. During protracted snows in November, 

 1890, cabbages in surrounding gardens were reduced to shreds by 

 them ; at Belton, during open weather in October, 1896, cabbage 

 patches were ruined by them. 



A. arborea. Wood-Lark. — F. C. Mostly observed here in 

 severe weather, in small parties. Seven shot in the snow by a 

 gardener, Dec. 20th, 1890. 



[A. brachydactyla. Short-toed Lark. — A. One stated to have 

 been shot on Breydon walls, Nov. 7th, 1889. The bird in question 

 may have been an escape (vide B. of N. vol. iii. p. 410).] 



Otocorys alpestris. Shore-Lark. — F. C. Uncertain winter 

 visitor ; sometimes occurs in considerable numbers, as in October, 

 1880. Consorts with Snow-Buntings on North Denes and sand- 

 hills. The birdcatchers have learnt to distinguish its call-note 

 and characteristics, and look for it yearly. About sixty were 

 obtained during autumn and winter of 1882, mostly males. 



Cypselus apus. Swift. — C. The numbers nesting here do 

 not increase, although gathering in considerable numbers over the 

 Denes in early autumn. A favourite prey is the St. Mark's Fly 

 (Bibio marci). During a set-in of unusually cold weather in 

 August, 1881, numbers of Swifts were picked up dead or benumbed. 

 Local, " Davelin." 



