29-4 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THE BIRDS OF GREAT YARMOUTH AND THE 

 NEIGHBOURHOOD. 



By Arthur Patterson. 



(Concluded from p. 105.) 



Sterna fluviatilis. Common Tern. — C. This species many 

 years ago nested on Hickling Broad, and on many other parts of 

 the coast, which it has since deserted. It is now most commonly 

 observed leisurely migrating southward in August, following the 

 coast-line in flocks, feeding on the " herring-syle," which may be 

 seen flashing like myriad streaks of burnished silver at' the sur- 

 face of the water. Occasionally young birds may be seen, resting 

 on the beach, fed by the old ones ; three were observed thus 

 tended, Aug. 19th, 1891. 



S. macrura. Arctic Tern. — F. C. My experience of this 

 species is, that it is in some years almost as plentiful as the pre- 

 ceding species. It follows the coast-line also in autumn, and in 

 company with S. fluviatilis. Was unusually abundant in this 

 neighbourhood in August, 1881, when many were killed. When on 

 the wing, fishing, it is diflicult, of course, to distinguish from the 

 Common Tern. 



S. minuta. Little Tern — N. U. Said to have formerly nested 

 at Hickling, but had become rare in this county at that period, and 

 has now quite deserted the Yarmouth district. It is occasionally 

 seen on Breydon in autumn. Plentiful on Breydon, Aug. 1881. 

 I saw several, Aug. 1900. It is a charming little creature, whose 

 loveliness alone should ensure its immunity from destruction. 



Xema sahlnii. Sabine's Gull. — A. Two obtained on Brey- 

 don, immature male and female, Oct. 17th and 21st, 1881. A 

 young male " consorting with Lapwings " was shot at Hickling, 

 Oct. 6th, 1889 (Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc). 



Larus minutus. Little Gull. — R. R. May be looked for 

 after severe north-westerly gales. Was, prior to February, 1870, 

 considered a very rare species : in that month a tremendous 



