.M / O 
birds, Terns, Kinged Dotterel, &c., bred there should have time 
to get strong enough on the wing to protect themselves ; whilst 
tbo home-bred Duck, &c., if left undisturbed, would get a good 
“hold” on the feeding-grounds, and would act as decoys to the 
first flights of foreign fowl. 
Mallard seem to hav'o been fairly numerous for an open winter j 
AVigeon scare, or perhaps spotty. 
fnland decoys give a bad return for the season, and account for 
a very small rpiantity of leal. It is curious that so little mention 
is made of the marked difference in the home-bred and foreign 
Ducks (j4. hoschuH^. ihe home-bred birds are heavier in weight, 
lighter in colour, and the flesh also is lighter. The foreign Ducks arc 
smaller, and neater in form, the plumage darker, and the flesh also 
dark. Sir K. Payne-Galwey, in his e.vcellent book, ‘ The Fowler 
in Ireland,’ remarks : “ This difference is so well known to fowlers 
and dealers, that sixpence is added to the price of what are termed 
the large Mallard, tliis extra amount being expected and given 
by buyer and seller respectively.” I have very seldom seen this 
difference alluded to. The Shelduck still nests between Wells 
and Hunstanton, but is no longer to be found to the cast of Wells. 
Ihe Oyster-catcher is also to be found in the same locality, but 
very much reduced in numbers. The Kinged Plover 
hiaticnla) keeps up its numbers from vSalthouse to Lynn. Of 
the migrant waders it is difficult to speak with certainty, as 
regards increase or decrease, as one species seems generally largely 
to preponderate over the others, and accounts difier so much from 
different places. Stints seem to have been generally plentiful. 
Knot scarce in the Lynn and Brancaster districts, but fairly plefttiful 
at Blakcney, whore Bar-tailed Godwit have also been more abundant 
this year than for some years past. But I fear that the Grey 
Plover and Godwit visit us in smaller quantities than formerly. 
Air. G. Cresswcll informs me that he has seen more Velvet Scoters 
{^E'hnma fasca) than usual between AVolverton and Hunstanton. 
Mr. A. Kapier of Holkham has kindly sent me several interesting 
Ornithological notes from the Wells district. He tells me that, in 
December, a very largo AVhitc Hawk w;vs observed for several days 
