NOTES AND QUERIES. 461 
number I shall try to reproduce this material in the form of a map.— 
Frepx. J. Stusss (77, High Street, London, E.). 
Starlings on Sheep’s Back.—In my note (ante, p. 393) there is the 
following misprint which is worth correcting, as it conveys a wrong 
impression : “ They walked with care on the wool.” For care read 
ease.—H, B. Kirkman (Letchworth). 
Starlings and Jackdaws on Sheeps’ Backs.—It is a common sight 
in Northumberland, and on the Borders, to see both of these birds 
perching upon the backs of Sheep, and less frequently on cattle, and 
the fact has been repeatedly remarked upon in print during the last 
thirty years. Occasionally, no doubt, the attraction may be para- 
sites, but quite often it is only a conveniently raised resting place for 
observation, and shepherds would be glad if the birds could be induced 
to abandon the practice, for during hot weather the resultant drop- 
pings on the fleece attract flies, which often means sore backs—fly- 
blown spots—needing immediate attention, and which a careful 
man is constantly on the look-out for amongst his flocks—GurorGE 
Bowam. 
Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) in Suffolk—Possibly a few words 
with reference to the three Spoonbills referred to by Mr. Patterson 
(ante, p. 420) which I was fortunate enough to see in Suffolk may be 
of interest. It was in the evening of June 4th that I saw them ; I 
was at the end of Easton Broad nearest the sea, when three very 
large white birds rose at the opposite end, and for a mioment I could 
not think what they were. However, when I got my field-glass on 
them, there could be no doubt at all, and though they never came 
within two hundred yards, I had an excellent view. They circled 
about, and at last I lost sight of them. A Heron came into the 
range of the glasses at the same time, and the difference in flight was 
very conspicuous: the Heron with neck drawn back, and with a 
rather heavy, laboured flight, and the Spoonbills with their necks 
fully extended, and a flight which appeared to be as graceful and 
easy aS a Gull’s. I looked for them again, but never saw them ; 
however, some boys who were bathing in the Broad told me they had 
seen them, and described them as “ tall birds,” one of them suggesting 
that they were Storks. To see a new bird for.the first time is always 
a pleasure, and a sketch I made of one of the Spoonbills, which a 
friend has been good enough to reproduce as a lantern-slide for me, 
will be an interesting memento of the incident. —Junian G. Tuck 
(Tostock Rectory, Bury St. Hdmunds). 
