ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT FOR NORFOLK. 135 



4th. — W.S.W., 5. Eleven Jack-Snipe shot on East Euston 

 Common (Bird), and a Fork-tailed Petrel caught on a fishing- 

 boat (Lowne). 



5th. — Grey Phalarope on Breydon (Patterson). Quail at 

 Lopham (Kev. J. Sawbridge). 



6th. — A young Red-necked Phalaropet shot on a pond at St. 

 Faith's (Pioberts). Received an adult Gannett from Holme, 

 which I believe was found alive on the shore. Mr. R. Clarke had 

 another at the same time from Congham, and also heard of a 

 young one being washed ashore. 



7th. — Several Sky-Larks struck Happisburgh Lighthouse, 

 and the following day four Goldcrests and some Starlings (Bird). 



8th. — A Storm-Petrel flew on board a "lugger" (Patterson). 



9th, 10th, 11th. — Many Grey Crows coming in (Bird). The 

 hedgerows in South Lincolnshire teeming with Blackbirds, 

 Thrushes, Redwings, Tree-Sparrows, Chaffinches, Bramblings, 

 &c. (F. Boyes, 'Field'). Quail shot at Tunstead. 



12th. — Received from Mr. Patterson a young Guillemot,! 

 which had been hooked from Gorleston Pier, but I could not induce 

 it to feed, and it soon died. Storm-Petrel caught on a fishing- 

 boat (Lowne). 



15th. — Utility of Starlings. Large flocks of young Starlings 

 about, which later on were very busy on the wheat-fields, appa- 

 rently attacking the blade wherever it had appeared above 

 ground ; but in reality what they are after is the wireworm 

 lurking at the root of the wheat, which is a very small grub 

 when young. The only harm that Starlings do is the loosening 

 of the plant itself, thereby letting in drought or frost. Starlings 

 have a curious habit of pecking with their mandibles apart, and 

 this, I think, must help to loosen the wheat-plant. On the whole 

 they do much more good than harm, but they are not above 

 helping themselves to whiteheart cherries. I cannot so readily 

 acquit the Rooks, which in September were carrying off walnuts 

 at Cringleford in a provoking way, and later on were to be seen 

 in great flocks on newly- sown wheat, where they were not 

 wanted. Many of our farmers would not be sorry if the Act of 

 Henry VIII. for their destruction was in force again. It must 

 be confessed, however, that they take a great many wireworms 

 and grubs of all sorts. 



