ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT FOR NORFOLK. L23 



of Thetford Warren — a somewhat extraordinary place, and cer- 

 tainly a very extraordinary time of the year. 



18th. — Eeceived from Mr. Arthur Patterson a live Gannet, 

 which, according to the fishermen's account, had been blown 

 against the mainsail of a smack. Gannets are rather subject to 

 accidents, especially when on the wing, and these misadventures 

 no doubt generally happen in a fog ; but in this case the bird 

 may have seen some herrings on the deck. Though their sight 

 is so acute at a distance, they have difficulty in distinguishing 

 near objects, as I proved with this one, which, at the time of 

 writing, is still alive on my pond. The usual buff colour on the 

 head was barely perceptible when it came, but at the end of 

 February it was recovering its tone, and in May this evanescent 

 tint was fairly bright, but only to be lost again in October. 



23rd. — A Nyroca Duck, shot at Culford, in Suffolk, after a 

 gale from N.E., and shortly after another was obtained (Hon. 

 L. Cadogan). Goosander seen at Hickling (A. Nudd). 



'29th. — Black-breasted Dipper at Snettisham (d. u.). 



30th. — Goosander at Blickling (Miss Buxton), and some more 

 about this date at Hoveton. 



31st. — Some interest was aroused by the discovery, at this 

 abnormal time of the year, of twelve young Partridges at 

 Stratton Strawless, only a few days old. Of course there was 

 not much chance for them. By Feb. 5th they were reduced to 

 ten — as I learn from Mr. Birkbeck — and by the 22nd to two, and 

 his keeper believes that these did not long survive. The tem- 

 perature of the latter part of January was high, which may 

 account for such early breeding. 



February. 



1st. — February commenced with a sprinkling of snow, in 

 spite of which there was a Thrush's nest with three eggs at 

 Thorpe, and another with two eggst at Eaton. The Pied Wag- 

 tail returned with its accustomed regularity, and Mr. Nudd 

 noted his first Bedshank on the 3rd ; but Mr. Bird had already 

 heard of some at Irstead. 



7th.— A beautiful day. All kinds of birds are now paired. 

 The number of Thrushes on pastures is very large for the time 

 of year ; there must be many hundreds in Keswick and adjoining 



