I. 
ON THE OENITHOLOGICAL AECHH^OLOGY OF 
NOEFOLK. 
By Thomas Southwell. 
It is singular how little information we find in the works of old 
writers, with regard to the Natural History of Norfolk, in the 
times of which they write, although Lincolnshire and Cambs. are 
often mentioned, and lists of the birds found there given. This 
may, perhaps, he accounted for in some measure by the “out of 
the way ” situation of our county ; certainly not by any scarcity of 
the feathered race, which was probably quite as numerously repre- 
sented here as in either of the two counties named. There is no 
doubt some species lingered here long after they had ceased to 
frequent better known districts. Indeed, it would be surprising 
were such not the case when we consider the geographical position 
of Norfolk ; the coast, projecting into the German Ocean, offering 
a resting-place for migrants passing to and fro ; the broads and 
fens affording a secure home for the aquatic species ; and the woods 
and uplands of the interior presenting every variety of attraction 
for those species whose habits required such retreats. So great is 
its diversity of feature and soil, that as old Fuller truly says, “All 
England may he carved out of Norfolk, being represented in it, 
not only as to the kinds hut degrees thereof ; for here are fens and 
heaths, hght and deep, sand and clay grounds, meadow-lands, 
pastures and arable, woodlands and woodless.” 
Drayton, in his “ Poly Olbion,” says Mr. Lubbock, occupies 
pages with the enumeration of different species of birds found in 
Lincolnshire, but dismisses poor NorfoUc with a passing intimation 
that the open country around Brandon is admirably suited for 
hawking. Camden, too, gives an interesting account of the 
Lincolnshire fens, hut of Norfolk only tolls us, when speakuig 
