THE BIBDS OF GREAT YARMOUTH. 103 



appears here to be very unsociable, even with others of its own 

 species. Has a decided partiality for weedy stumps left un- 

 covered by the tide, amongst wliich it hunts for prey. 



T. canutus. Knot. — C. Rarer in the red plumage than 

 formerly. Very few now in May on Breydon. Common in 

 autumn ; and from its extreme tameness few escape the gunners, 

 whose "call," in ppite of lessening numbers, easily allures the 

 survivors within gunshot. Is remarkHbly sociable, consorting 

 with any of tiie waders who will tolerate its company. 



Calidris arenaria. Sanderling. — F. C. Mi)stly met with on 

 the beach. A few in spring in full plumage. In January beau- 

 tiful examples, which on the wing look white, are frequent, 

 especially in hard weather. Is the nimblest runner of all the 

 waders. 



Machetes pugnax. Ruff. — R. Formerly nested in the Broad 

 district ; has occasionally attempted to do so of late years, but 

 to small purpose. In September immature birds are occasionally 

 met with. Messrs. Paget refer to it as common at Acle and 

 Reedham. Mr. J. H. Gurney gives the following calculation of 

 the number of nests recorded during the past forty years in 

 Norfolk (' Zoologist,' 1899, p. 115) :— 1858, about fourteen nests; 

 1868, about five nests; 1878, about two nests; 1888, about one 

 nest; 1898, no nests. 



Tryngites rufescens. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. — A. Three 

 occurrences recorded at Yarmouth, respectively, in 1840, 1841, 

 1843. Two others have been met with in Norfolk, viz. at Sher- 

 ringham in 1832, and another at Cley in 1889. 



Totanus hypoleucus. Common Sandpiper. — C. Frequents 

 the river Bure, also Breydon walls, in spring and autumn. Has 

 a habit of feeding in little parties (eight being the greatest 

 number I have ever seen together), and constantly flying and 

 alighting ahead of sailing yachts or wherries, noisily protesting. 

 I have long suspected its nesting here, having observed it all 

 summer through ; first Norfolk nest discovered under a goose- 

 berry bush at Hickling, May 25th, 1897. 



T. glareola. Wood-Sandpiper. — R. R. Generally met with 

 in autumn ; about one or two yearly. Stevenson (B. of N.) gives 

 several dates; mostly Yarmouth examples. Three recorded 

 August, 1893. 



