THETFOBD WARREN. 103 



to acclimatize Black Grouse, but the half-dozen turned out in the 

 autumn did not survive the winter. Pheasants and both species 

 of Partridge are common. The Stock-Dove nests in Rabbit- 

 holes with comparative frequency, and it is probable that at one 

 time the Common Sheld-Duck also occupied similar quarters 

 during the nesting season. The Wheatear, which usually arrives 

 on the Warren about March 25th, is very common. Sand- 

 Martins frequent the chalk-pits — one of which was in existence 

 five hundred years ago— and Common Snipe nest on the low- 

 lying meadows. In April, 1893, the writer counted sixteen 

 gyrating at one time over the marshy parts of the Warren. 

 Although there is no actual record of the occurrence, it can 

 hardly be doubted that the Short -eared Owl has nested, and does 

 occasionally nest, on Thetford Warren, for its eggs have been 

 found in similar localities but a mile or two distant. Lapwings 

 have decreased in number of late years, chiefly owing to those 

 who consider their eggs a delicacy, and so make collecting profit- 

 able. Among the occasional visitors to the Warren are Peregrine 

 Falcons, which may almost be classed as annual visitants, and 

 Pallas's Sand-Grouse. A large flock of the latter was observed 

 in 1863. The Marsh-Harrier has been shot ; Rough-legged 

 Buzzards secured at various times (undoubtedly many more than 

 those of which we have record) ; two White-tailed Eagles were 

 trapped in the winter of 1832-3 ; and in December, 1846, a 

 Hoopoe was here found dead. An immature Falcon was killed 

 on this Warren in the spring of 1883, and, although there is 

 great difficulty in differentiating the Iceland Falcon and the 

 Scandinavian Gyr-falcon in this state of plumage, it was eventu- 

 ally assigned to the latter species. On this occurrence rests its 

 sole right to be included in the Norfolk list. 



