162 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The Breeding Season. — As far as common birds are concerned, 

 the nesting season was fairly prolific. The breeding of the 

 Common Sandpiper for the second time in Norfolk is an event 

 of importance, while the nidification of the Curlew near Lynn, 

 of the Bittern on the Broads, and of the Little Owl (on Mr. 

 Tracey's authority) is certainly not less so ; moreover, except in 

 the case of the Owl, they are proofs of the value of protection. 

 The spread of the Little Owl, which is general in other parts of 



January 15th, 1912 (see preceding page). 



England, seems to be making itself felt in Norfolk. My corre- 

 spondent, Mr. Tracey, had it on good authority that some bred 

 not very far from Lynn, and he was actually shown four eggs, 

 besides a photograph which had been taken of some young ones. 

 On June 1st a flock of about twenty Crossbills was seen by 

 the Eev. M. H. Bird, busy on a clump of fir-trees at Wroxham, 

 and this is the only wandering band that either he or I have 

 heard of. My gardener, who knows them well, identified a single 

 Crossbill on the wing at Northrepps in September, and again he 

 saw a single bird towards the end of October. This does not 



