ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT FOR NORFOLK. 209 



y June. 



3rd. — A Eeed-Warbler's nest t on the river at Keswick 

 (C. J. G.), where possibly one or two breed every year. Most 

 of the nest-building seems to be done by one bird, but it is 

 impossible to say of which sex, as both are in attendance. 



8th. — Temperature 89|° F. The hottest day registered by 

 Mr. A. W. Preston in Norfolk, for June, in thirty-two years. 



18th. — A cock Brambling seen in a small plantation near 

 Hickling village by Mr. Vincent is an occurrence late enough to 

 suggest breeding. We certainly have no record of one being 

 seen so late before, but no hen was detected. It was not seen 

 again. 



July. 



2nd. — A Common Linnet's nest t on the side of a house at 

 Keswick at the unusual elevation of 21 ft. This bird has 

 become very common here in summer. Two other pairs chose 

 for their domicile plants of the Garden Lupin, which was going 

 to the other extreme, but they were large plants. 



14th. — Two Gadwalls and a couple of Nyroca Ducks, appa- 

 rently both males, detected by Mr. Vincent on the same Broad 

 where we saw one in April. They are believed to have only 

 stayed two days. This seems to be the solitary record of the 

 presence of Nyrocas in England in summer, although it is very 

 likely they have been on the Norfolk Broads before, without 

 being recognised. 



A hundred and fifty years ago the Wigeon, Pintail, Nyroca, 

 and Bed-crested Pochard may all have been breeders in very 

 small numbers in the wilderness of reeds and swamps, which 

 were more extensive in Norfolk then than now, without any 

 sportsman or reed-cutter taking note of the fact. But it is not 

 very likely that the Scoter ever nested on our Broads. 



22nd. — The contents of a Sparrow Hawk's nest, received with 

 the nest, to-day from Essex were: 4 Blackbirds, 4 Thrushes, 

 5 young Pheasants, 1 Bed-legged Partridge nestling, 1 Starling, 

 1 Hedge-Accentor, 1 Chaffinch, 1 bird doubtful. This may be 

 compared with the dietary of one for, Norfolk (' Zool.,' 1890, 

 p. 56). It is remarkable how cleanly the Sparrow Hawk can 

 pick a skeleton. 



(To be concluded.) 



