The last fifteen years have been signalized hy the return of one 
or two of our extinct species to their old haunts, hut only as 
migratory visitants. The magnificent Great Bustard, which 
appeared at Mr. Upcher’s, at Feltwell, in 187G,* will he fresh in 
your recollection. In 18G9 four Cranes, if not more, were killed ; 
viz., one at Somerton, one at Tliornhara, one at Pickenham, and 
one at Burnham, or possibly two, if the same specimen was not 
inadvertently recorded twice over. At the same time four others 
were killed in other pai'ts of Great Britain, and a fifth was seen in 
Devonshire (‘Zoologist,’ 18G9, p. 18GG). 
^Fhcn the first volume of the ‘Birds of jSTorfolk’ was published, 
many of us supposed we had seen the last of the Kite, but this 
fine “ raptor,” extinct as a resident, will probably always be an 
occasional visitant. Since the last mentioned by Mr. Stevenson, 
four have been killed, and at least one other seen ; namely, one 
killed at Martham in 18G5, one at Plumstead in 1870, two seen at 
Northrepjrs in 1877, and one killed at Beeston Begis, and one 
killed at Northrepps in 1880 ;t and I hear, quite recently, of two 
killed in Suffolk, one of which I have seen. 
* He was sitting down when I saw him, not particularly shy, and yet far 
enough off to be quite out of danger. Ilis great body so very light-coloured 
that it was some time before I could realize that it was indeed Otis tarda 
himself, but I think the wings must have been partly unfolded, which would 
have added to his bulk. With his head and neck erect, ive could see him a 
mile off’. At length he rose, facing the north, and took a haughty view of 
the two individuals who were presuming to watch him with a telescope, 
before Hying off, which he soon did with outstretched neck. The head ivas 
held on a level with the back as he flew, and not depressed as it usually is 
in the Crane. No sooner ■were the pinions stretched, than the tail, which 
had been before erect and closed (as in the plate in 2nd vol. of ‘ Birds of 
Norfolk’), flattened itself out and opened to the full extent. Any amount of 
tracks were to be seen where he had been, and his weight was evident from 
the deep impressions. These impressions measured four inches across, and 
three and a quarter lengthways. 
i' iMany years ago a Kite was killed in the “Ilungry-llills” woods at 
Northrepps (exactly the same locality whiclr produced the specimen in 
lySO). I have a pencil sketch by some unknown hand, apparently taken 
after it was stuffed, and a note to tlic effect tliat it was sliot whilst in the 
a<?t of devouring a rabbit, Jind the skin lu'cscrvcd. 
