ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORFOLK. 118 
SEPTEMBER. 
11th.—Another Green-backed Porphyrio shot at Barton Broad, 
as I learnt from Mr. Southwell while absent in Scotland. This 
is the fifth of these unfortunates in the same locality; but it 
is impossible to claim them as genuine migrants, for, though 
with one exception in perfect condition and plumage, they are 
probably some turned out by the Duke of Bedford at Woburn 
Abbey, in Bedfordshire. Mr. H. Saunders and I make it only 
120 miles on the map in a straight line from Woburn to Barton 
Broad; the instinct which led so many to the same place, and 
that place so suitable to their requirements, is very remarkable. 
Whether they began their journey together, or not, it is morally 
certain that they did not all arrive at the Broad district at the 
same time, being far too noisy and conspicuous to remain long 
hidden. The first, on June 23rd, had probably just escaped, but 
in August Mr. E. Meade Waldo,—who, together with the Duchess, 
have kindly given every information,—informs me there were 
about sixty of these splendid ‘‘ Pouwles sultanes’ at large, full- 
winged, and already quite wild in Woburn Park. None were 
reported anywhere but in Norfolk, so far as I could learn, but a 
Purple Porphyrio was killed in Yorkshire (J. Cordeaux). If any 
more are turned out it would be a good plan to put dated 
aluminium rings on their legs, and we could then be sure of 
their owners and trace their wanderings. We can only promise 
them the same inhospitable reception they met with before, so 
long as the reed-mowers are allowed guns, for they, like all the 
rest of the tribe of Norfolk gunners, are incapable of leaving any 
bird alone, and the persecution of Montagu’s Harriers aud Barn 
Owls is especially regretable. If these Porphyrios had been un- 
molested they might possibly have nested, as they did in a semi- 
wild state at Mr. Meade Waldo’s place in Kent. 
21st.—A Shag, caught alive at Grimston Road by the side of 
the railway, is the only item in my diary calling for notice, 
a strange contrast to the list of rarities recorded for September, 
1896, and to many of the same months in previous years. 
OcTOBER. 
7th. — Wind 8.W. Grey Phalarope at Breydon Broad ~ 
(B. Dye). 
Zool. 4th Ser. vol. II., March, 1898. I 
