184 mr. a. Patterson’s natural history notes from Yarmouth. 
On March 2nd a ? Wigeon on Durrant’s stall, assuming the 
male markings. 
March 5th. From a Whiting, 9^ inches long, I drew an example 
of the same species 7f inches long, about an inch and a quarter 
only remained out of the swallower’s mouth. 
Up to March 14th I have received several examples of Mus 
rattus, and the much rarer sub-species, M us alexandrinus. These 
Rats have become increasingly troublesome to grocers, swarming 
overhead and below-stairs, and nothing savoury is free from their 
attacks. I was recently shown, on two occasions, rows of empty 
jam jars, clean licked out, as if they had been legitimately emptied 
and washed. I also, in one shop, saw a half-hundredweight box of 
dates eaten out until but a mere shell-like cavern remained. In the 
sail-lofts the Russian tallow used has to be carefully hidden, for 
any lumps left about are sure to be devoured before morning. 
On Thursday, 21st, an enormous Conger ( Conger vulgaris) was 
brought in by a trawler. Length 7 feet G inches, weight 92 lbs. 
After a week’s heavy easterly winds I went to Ormesby, walking 
home by the beach. The sandcliffs had been woefully scoured, and 
crumbled down by thousands of tons. This continual abrasion 
promises to be a serious matter before many years have elapsed. 
Uo efforts to stay the force of the sea, either by groining or otherwise, 
are being made, and the sand drawn down by the sea being levelled 
and washed away affords no protection to the abrupt cliff, at whose 
base every unusual tide now flings its breakers. 
At Scratby, more particularly to the northward, this devastation 
is most conspicuous. At thq base of the cliffs, in places, a great 
deal of drift had been thrown, and amongst it some number of 
unfortunate Rock-birds. I found several Guillemots, Puffins, and 
Little Auks ; only two or three of the former being in a state fit to 
bring away ; their rather rapid decomposition, and the onslaught of 
Rooks and Crows having spoiled them. 
I found about eight dead Rooks and several Starlings, probably 
northward bound emigrants, that had succumbed to the fury of the 
elements. A few Kittiwake remnants lay about, and the wings 
and breastbones of several Larks and smaller birds. Thousands of 
a species of JJgperia in places were strewn along the tide-mark. 
