MU. II. M. UPCIIER ON BIRD’S-NESTING IN NORFOLK. 679 
XIV. 
A DAY’S BIRD’S-NESTING IN NORFOLK, WITH 
A FEW BIRDY NOTES ADDED. 
By H. ]\I. Upcher, F.Z.S. 
Read 26th March, 1889. 
You have asked mo to write a paper for our Norfolk Naturalists’ 
Society, but really I lianlly know wliere to begin, or bow to go on. 
On looking through niy note-book, I am remindiHl of a most 
pleasant and instructive day spent in one of Nature’s Paradises, 
which it is occasionally one’s lot to meet witli ; but winch no lover 
of nature can visit, without feeling his mind and thoughts elevated 
above the ordinary level of every-day life. The waters sparkled 
brilliantly under a bright sun, when, accompanied by a friend who 
had come to spend the day with me, I arrived at the head of the 
Mere. The first glance might have seemed disappointing to any one 
not acquainted with bird life ; as, beyond a casual Coot or two 
bobbing up ainl down on the rippling water, nothing else was 
visible: but a closer inspection, especially when aided by the 
telescope, soon brought hidden treasures into view. Now all the 
rush-girt bays appeared tenanted with fowl, among which we 
could identify Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall, Shoveller, Pintail, 
and Teal ; while an inspection of the grassy bank on the south 
side showed a flock of some thirty splendid Mallard in finest 
summer costume, either enjoying ofiinn rum dh/ in the .sunshine, 
or preening themselves after their forty winks. It would be worth 
a long journey to see such a collection and variety of Ducks alone. 
But this Avas not all, for the reeds fringing the lake, as well as the 
belts near it, all teemed with bin! life, and resounded with bird 
song. The Sedge and Reed Warblers flitted hither and thither, 
uttering their incessant harsh, jarring note, or pouring out their 
rapid song, as if there was not a moment to lose. The Nightingale 
and Blackcap, the Whitethroat and Willow Wren, a perfect chorus of 
songsters, filled the coppices near with music. The Snipe drummed 
overhead, and as we cros.sed a sedgy meadow, the Lapwings swept 
