LIST OF NORFOLK BIRDS. 
423 
Avinter, but that it is the first bird wliich comes in spring, making 
its appearance in February ; tliat it used formerly to be in great 
abundance, but that they destroyed all they could on account of 
its disturbing the rabbits in their burrows.” — S. 
2G7. Wild Duck (Anas boschas). 
Is still a common Avinter visitant, and also generally distributed 
in the breeding season. It lays in [March, and by the middle 
of July the Flappers leave the Droads Avhere they have been 
bred. A proper close time for them, in my opinion, is from 
March 1st to July 10th, but on this subject, Avhich has been 
debated several times, a great dilference of opinion exists among 
Norfolk Justices assembled at (jhiarter Sessions. For an account 
of the Decoys of Norfolk by [Mr. SoutliAvell, see Trans. Norfolk 
and Norwich Nat. Soc. vol. ii. p. 538. — G. 
208. Gadwall (Anas strepera). 
The native stock of this bird A\'as reinforced about the year 1850 
by turning doAvn some pinioned birds (taken in a local Decoy) on 
tAvo estates in West Norfolk, since Avhich time it has become fully 
established as a resident, and has spread to other localities. — S. 
2G9. Shoveller (Spatula clypeata). 
Migrants not infreipiently occur in Avinter, and are obtained 
on inland Avaters as Avell as on the coast. It has long been knoAvn 
to breed in Norfolk, and though there are some places, as at 
Scoulton, Avhere it has ceased to do so, it still breeds freely on 
some Meres to the north of Thetford, and less abundantly in the 
llroad district. It has almost ceased to nest in the tract of 
marshes about Ilickling. The Kca'. W. Whitear in the diary 
before quoted says under date of 2Gth of May, 1818, “Taylor has 
found fifty -six eggs [of the Shoveller] this spring ” in the Winterton 
marshes. 
270. Pintail (Dafila acuta). 
Hunt mentions having seen several Pintails for sale in NorAvich 
market during June and July. In May, 1878, [Mr. Booth srav a 
pair at Ilickling, and as latterly only the male Avas seen, they may 
huA'^e had a nest (‘Rough Notes,’ part xiii.). As it is belieA’ed to 
liaA'a bred in Northumberland, there Avould be nothing remarkable 
in its having bred in Norfolk. It is chiefly known at the present 
