40 
MH. F. D. power’s ornithological NOTES. 
along the east banks, and some even in the Sedge. Eedstarts also 
numerous. Hawks in numbers ; one Peregrine, several Merlins, 
and a doubtful Hobby, being noted : the latter, a small bluish 
Hawk, was observed systematically hunting along one of the reedy 
ileets, close to the top of the Heeds. A Temminck’s Stint moving 
restlessly about, constantly uttering its queer cricket-like note. 
Among a flock of Linnets, which for some days past have haunted 
a green part of the beach, I noticed a larger bird with sharp note, 
not unlike the call-note of the Yellow-hammer. After some trouble 
it Avas secured, and found to be an Ortolan Bunting, a rare visitant 
to the county according to Mr. Gurney’s ‘ Catalogue of Norfolk 
Birds.’ It is immature — probably a bird of the year — and a male 
on dissection. In general appearance a miniature Corn Bunting, 
being of a sober brown colour, the feathers on the back darker in 
the centre, giving the bird a spotted appearance ; under parts 
yellowish brown ; breast spotted, and sides streaked with darker. 
Length G| in.; stretch of Aving 10| in. ; tarsus iti. 
The day Avas passed at the sand-hills, and a most prolific haunt 
they proved. Bluethroats Avere present in extraordinary numbers, 
for Ave reckoned those seen at from eighty to one hundred. 
Eedstarts, too, Avere abundant, and.'Whinchats and Common White- 
throats Avell represented; Avhilst Thrush and Common Wren 
appeared for the first time. We also obtained tAvo immature 
Pied Fl^’^catchers, and noted a solitary Wryneck. The Bluethroats 
AA'e secured Avere immature, and males preponderated (^uite in the 
proportion of six to one. Of the eight skinned and examined by 
myself, only one Avas certainly a female ; of the rest, five Avere 
males, leaving two doubtful (being badly shot), but believed to be 
male and female. There can, I think, be little doubt, but that 
these all belonged to the Arctic variety (C. suecica), although one 
only had the red spot Avell marked. Of the rest, four out of five 
possessed blue on the breast to some extent, and placed together, 
presented a pleasing variety of plumago.s. I should mention, that 
the certain female mentioned above, shoAved no blue on the breast ; 
but at the same time, two at least ascertained males Avero also 
plain-breasted, so that this mark fails as a tost of sox. The only 
note uttered by them Avas “ Chack chack.” 
To-daj’’, Avith the Warblers so abundant, the Avholo Avading class 
Avas strangely scarce. At dusk, a largo flight of AVigeon, scA’-enty 
