OBNITHOLOGICAL BEPOBT FOB NOBFOLK. 171 



The Willow- Warbler has a better reputation, but I have so often 

 seen him among my raspberry-canes that it is impossible to 

 acquit him of a 'penchant for the fruit also, although this species 

 is stated in the fourth edition of Yarrell's ' British Birds ' (i., 

 p. 434) not to eat it. 



14th. — The increase of the Common Linnet calls for a word 

 or two ; in this parish more than a score of nests came under 

 observation in a very limited area, and our market gardeners 

 are calling out loudly, accusing it of doing a great deal of harm 

 to the seeds and young growth of radish, lettuce, and cabbage 

 crops. 



16th.— A Night Heron reported to be on Holkam Lake, also 

 a Buddy Sheld-Duck, but this may have escaped (S. K. Long). 



25th. — A Quail t found by Mr. F. Chasen under telegraph- 

 wires at Yarmouth ; a Mistle-Thrush was also " telegraphed," 

 and another t washed up by the sea. 



June. 



2nd. — Mr. B. Dye states that nine Grey Plover were seen on 

 Breydon Marshes, and again on the 9th eight were seen, possibly 

 the same birds, all of course in summer plumage. I once saw 

 four at Blakeney so late as June 14th, but their occurrence at 

 this season is somewhat remarkable, and must be confined to 

 individuals which have no intention of breeding surely. 



11th. — By dint of protection the Bearded Tit, or " Beed 

 Pheasant," as our marshmen call it, now holds its position. 

 Fifteen or sixteen years ago, owing to the rapacity of one or two 

 dealers, there were probably not thirty nests from which the young 

 got clear away in the whole Broad district, but now eighty or 

 even ninety nests would not be too liberal an estimate. They 

 are early breeders, and to-day some were feeding young ones, 

 but young Bearded Tits are to be seen as big as their parents by 

 the middle of June. The eggs, five or six in number, are 

 occasionally laid at the end of March, and have a pink tinge 

 when fresh, which is lost in blowing. In April Mr. B. B. Kiviere 

 was shown a nest containing ten eggs, seven of which were in 

 their proper place in the nest, and three more were showing 

 through the lining. I once heard of a nest at Hickling with 

 twelve eggs, but in both these cases they were probably two 



