GUNN : ORNITHOLOGY OP NORFOLK. 



20 



fiiarket on the 16tli inst. ; the same day Mr. F. Frere, of Great Yarmouth, 

 who was out shooting on Breydon Water, succeeded in obtaining a couple of 

 birds of this species, both males. One, a fine mature specimen, and the 

 other a younger bird, just shewing a few of the side and wing markings of 

 the adult plumage ; the remainder of its plumage retained the hue of the 

 female, only of a somewhat brighter tint. 



Eed-breasted Merganser. About the 14tli instant two splendid adult 

 males were killed at Salthouse. The adult male is rather rare in this county, 

 these being the only instances of its occurrence that I have observed during 

 the last four years. The female and immature specimens, not unusually occur 

 each winter season ; from tip of bill to the tip of the tail the male measures 

 two feet : wing from carpal joint to tip, ten inches ; bill, three inches ; longest 

 crest feathers three and a quarter inches, iris, bright red. The gizzards of the 

 above examples contained a few pebbles. 



Goosander. January 27th, a magnificent old male was shot by Mr. 

 J. N. Spanton at South Walsham, who sent it to Norwich for preservation ; 

 during the course of the same day, the birdstufier received a female from the 

 same neighbourhood, I saw the two birds laying on the shop-board together 

 a short time afterwards ; I was much struck with the strange contrast they 

 presented to each other as regards the hue of their plumage, as well as size ; 

 the bright colours of the male when compared with the dull plumage of 

 its companion, might cause a person not particularly acquainted with 

 ornithology to pronounce them two diff'erent species. Their measurements 

 are as follows : — 



Male. Female. 



Tip of bill to tip of tail 27 inches. 24 inches. 



Wing from carpal joint 11 1- 10 



I have also noticed the following occurrences of the female. Four or five 

 examples at various times during this and the preceeding month in our market ; 

 one obtained somewhere in this county on the 3rd instant, the bieast of 

 which inclined to a pinkish hue, instead of the usual rich cream tint ; another 

 example was taken on the beach at Holkham, near Wells, on the 10th inst. 



Eed-necked Grebe. The red-necked Grebe ( Podicejps ruhricolUs ) has 

 made its appearance in rather plentiful numbers on our coast and in the 

 neighbourhood of our broads during the course of this month, being driven 

 to land by the strong north-easterly winds prevailing during that period, I have 

 seen upwards of sixteen specimens in the possession of one of our bii'dstuffers, 

 who received most of them for preservation for various parties. My friend 



