BIRDS AND THE GREAT SNOW. 89 



thirteen, and ten respectively, mostly "a darkish grey sort" 

 (probably Bean-Geese, the most common species here this 

 winter), passed over ; and a large hawk, which I have reason to 

 believe was a Buzzard, flew out of a stackyard with straws de- 

 pending from its feet, and I have no doubt a rat was mixed in 

 amongst them. A large " cloud " of Wood-Pigeons, containing 

 some hundreds, passed over from the direction of Yarmouth, 

 where another acquaintance of mine saw them a little earlier on 

 the same date — no doubt the same flock. 



To-day I saw three birds feeding near Breydon, which I at 

 first believed to be the Meadow-Pipit. On putting them to flight, 

 which they appeared very reluctant to take, I noticed an uncom- 

 mon amount of white on the two outside feathers on either side 

 the tail. It struck me at the time as being rather unusual, but, 

 not being prepared to suspect anything rare, I paid no more 

 heed to them, and let them be. 



On taking up ' The Zoologist ' of December last, I happened 

 to read an article on the Water-Pipit,* and on further reference to 

 Saunders's ' Manual,' I was astonished to find how curiously my 

 birds corresponded with the descriptions there given of the 

 species. I have been back to the spot since then, but, as I was 

 prepared to be, was disappointed at not again meeting with these 

 birds. On cautiously introducing the matter and my suspicions 

 to an old and observant gunner, he, strangely enough, spoke of 

 seeing three birds a few hours previously at the harbour-mouth 

 near the piles of the breakwater, which he noticed " carried 

 more 'an usual " white on their tails. There the matter for the 

 present must end, for, were I to describe the species to any of 

 those who prowl around with guns searching for " specimens," 

 not a Meadow-Pipit would escape the general massacre "rarities" 

 provoke. A "new" species had better remain unidentified ; but 

 there 



" P. W.D. J.," writing in the ' Daily Express ' of Jan. 5th, 

 1907, commenting on the appearance of Wild Swans at Yar- 

 mouth, remarked : — " I am informed there were fifty of the 

 birds, but whether they were Whoopers or the smaller Bewick's 

 word has not reached me. Both species have been seen in the 

 neighbourhood in fairly large flocks during hard winters, where 



* By Michael J. Nicoll, F.Z.S. 



