MR. a. Patterson’s natural history notes from Yarmouth. 183 
variety of species in my time, but never an easier — save for satis- 
fying it s hunger, and here I failed ; and 1 am satisfied that it is 
next to impossible to succeed in doing so, for it would require one 
man’s time devoted entirely to digging or collecting worms for its 
sustenance. 
Nov. 26th. Several Little Auks shot off the beach. Nine 
Egyptian Geese on Breydon. Five shot by one punt gunner, and 
two others obtained by shoulder guns. Some were fine, unpinioned 
birds. Their very tameness would warrant them “ escapes.” 
On December 3rd a fine p example of the Lesser Rorqual 
Whale ( Bahenoptera rostra/ a) was cast ashore, dead, on Caister 
beach. It was by no means fresh, but bore no marks of violence 
other than those which might have been caused by tumbling about 
on the sands. Length 30 feet; tail flukes, 71 feet from point to 
point; pectoral fins, 4 feet long. After interesting or disgusting 
many visitors, the coast-guard employed labour to hack it to pieces 
and bury it in the sands. 
On December 5th a Herring 15£ inches long shown me, and 
three other large Norwegians on December 11th. One measuring 
15 inches long, was inches in girth, and weighed 144 ounces. 
Several large flocks of Golden Plovers passing over at Potter 
Heigham on December 6th. I saw two examples turn Durrant’s 
scale at ounces each on the loth. 
Very few Wild-fowl of any kind brought to market up to the end 
of 1900. 
1901. 
Open weather here until January 8th when sharp weather and 
snow set in, w r ith them arriving several Swans : two Bewicks being 
shot. 
On January 12th two Goosanders in market, and a grandly 
attired $ Gadwall, one wing convincingly proclaiming it an escape. 
February 1 2th. Two White-fronted Geese shot. 
A streaked Gurnard (Trig! a lineata), twelve inches long, brought 
me on February 18th. 
February 23rd. Pied variety of Thrush, shot at Tunstall, in the 
market. The secondary and primary feathers were mostly white. 
Latter part of February saw several Puffins and Little Auks 
washed up on the beach. 
The call of the Redshank heard on February 27th. 
