84 
of tlie district, which, till very recently, was not obtainable but 
after a wearying pursuit and study.” With this promise, at least, 
of completeness and accuracy, we come to the list of “ Birds com- 
mon at Thetford,” divided under two distinct heads. Natives and 
Migrants, hut strangely enough this “complete list” terminates 
abruptly with the Columbidae ; Partridges and Pheasants, even in 
that highly preserved district, are omitted, and the whole of the 
Grallatores and Natatores are summed up, afterwards, in a few 
lines of general comment. 
If we examine this list, however, as far as it goes, conspicuous 
by their absence amongst the natives, are the Eohin, Blackbird, 
and Hedge Span-ow, whilst in the list of migrants, I look in vain 
for the Swallow, Swift, House and Sand Martin, Ping Ouzel, 
Hobby, Merlin, Shorteared Owl, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, 
and Grey Wagtail. Others may possibly be omitted, but these 
occur to me most prominently as I write. Even the common 
Sparrow forms no part of the list itself, but, in a separate paragraph 
we read, “ These, vrith the sparrow tribe. Passer montanus and 
Passer domestims complete (1) the list of common and well known 
species of birds.” Thus making Passer montanus, the Tree Spar- 
row, and the ordinary House Sparrow equally common, although 
the former is, I have no doubt, not less scarce and local in its 
habits about Thetford than in most other parts of the county. I 
am well aware of the difficulty of dividing our so-called “ British 
Birds ” into two such arbitrary groups as natives (residents) and 
migrants, many exceptional cases presenting themselves requiring 
separate classification, or more minute subdivision : but Avhy the 
Kestrel and Sparrow Hawk should rank amongst migrants only, 
and the rare Goshawk be placed (though under the head of mi- 
grants), amongst the birds “ common at Thetford ; ” why the Red- 
backed Shrike, Spotted Plycatcher, Cuckoo, and Tree Pipit, 
which all breed with us, should be entered solely under the head 
of migrants, whilst the Nightingale, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiff- 
chatf, WiPow Warbler, Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, &c. are ranked 
both as natives and migrants, is as remarkable as that the Missel 
Thrush should not be considered as much a native as the Song 
Thrush, or the peculiarly British Pied Wagtail [Motacdla yarrelU) 
should be made a non-resident migrant. Again, though the Stone- 
chat, Whinchat, Barn Owl, and Tawny Owl arc, I believe, correctly 
