480 
Early appearance of Blackheaded Gulls at Scoulton. As an 
evidence of the extreme mildness of the weather in February, a 
flock of about a hundred of these gulls were observed on the 6tli 
of that month, hovering over their usual nesting haunts at Scoulton 
Mere, but though seen in smaller numbers on the following day, 
they did not remain. I know of no record of their appearance at 
this spot so early, though, occasionally a few have made their 
appearance by the middle or end of February ; the usual date of 
arrival being between the first and second weeks in March. This 
mild period, however, was succeeded, on the 27th, by a heavy fall 
of snow and a severe frost. 
Great Gray Shrike. Mr. Anthony Hamond, of Westacre, 
informed me that two pairs of these birds were seen at Massinglram, 
in West Norfolk, during the summer, but he is not aware that 
they attempted to nest there. One was shot at Hunstanton about 
the second week in March, in the same place where a specimen 
was procured in the previous year, and an adult female was also 
shot at Flordon on the 18th of December. 
Hawfinch. One was killed at Yarmouth in January, one at 
Forncett in February, and two were shot in March at Wacton and 
Hemblington, whilst two or three were observed about the same 
time at Feltwell. This extremely shy species appears to be much 
more generally distributed in this county than is usually supposed. 
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. About the 13th of April an 
adult male of this species was shot at Elmham. 
Raven. A single bird was seen at Northrepps, in April, flying 
inland. 
Cuckoo in Reddish Brown Plumage in Spring. The 
occasional appearance of individuals of this species on their return 
in spring, exhibiting a peculiarly ruddy state of plumage, yet differ- 
ing much from the ordinary autumnal plumage of the young birds, 
lias been recorded from time to time. The most vivid specimen 
of this kind I ever saw was killed in May, near Cantley, on the 
river Yare. 
