182 mr. a. Patterson’s natural history notes from Yarmouth. 
I purchased from Durrant a Great Snipe on September 8th. It 
was unusually dark in colour, and more than usually light in weight. 
On September 5th. a Short Sunfish ( Orthagoriscus mola), measur- 
ing two feet in length, was caught in the roadstead and brought to 
the Fish Wharf. Several Landrails in the market during first 
fortnight in September ; eight were on sale on the 12th at one time. 
The Caterpillars of the Privet Hawk Moth appear to be commoner 
yearly. Privet is more largely grown in this neighbourhood each year. 
On September 17th I bad in my possession two small claws 
of the Edible Crab ( Cancer pcigurus). One had the end section 
double-pointed, but these did not work separately : the other, which 
was also double-pointed, had a free movement in both. 
October 12th. Larks and Kooks coming over freely to-day. 
October 13th. A 22-lb. Salmon, in excellent condition, caught 
in a herring-net. 
October 15th. A Lumpsucker ( Cyclopterus larnpus) caught on 
a hook in the river near Fish Wharf. First flight of Woodcocks 
noted same date. 
On October 26th a hungry Great Grey Shrike, evidently but just 
“over,” alighted in a tree in St. George’s Park. Presently it flew at 
and struck a Sparrow with which it returned to its perch ; the 
shrieking of the unfortunate finch attracting quite an assemblage of 
onlookers, before whose eyes it tore its victim to pieces and made 
a meal of it, flying away unmolested a few minutes after. 
Two Porbeagle Sharks ( Lunina cornubica ) caught first week in 
November. One was about 6 feet long; the other, 7 feet 6 inches. 
Both made themselves disagreeably unwelcome by enveloping them- 
selves in the drift-nets. 
On November 3rd I saw a Common Snipe on the muds of 
Breydon, a most unusual place to flush one. 
November 21st. A Woodcock, captured in a warehouse in the 
town, came into my possession. It became quite tame in a day or 
two and would take worms out of my hand, pecking at my fingers 
petulantly if offered without food, and at the same time uttering 
a not unpleasant purring note. It lived several days in my pos- 
session, during which time it partook eagerly of Oniscithe, strips of 
fish, liver, and meat. But it gradually pined and died. I have 
always understood that the cock was difficult to keep in confinement, 
and took great pains to prove this a falsity. I have kept a great 
