568 mr. a. Patterson’s natural history notes from Yarmouth. 
till the middle of June low tides prevailed, but a higher spring 
tide washed everything clear of the flat, and the birds disappeared 
with the exception of one pair; these remained until June 27th. 
Plenty of Lesser Terns came back to this neighbourhood in August ; 
and it was pretty to watch the old birds catching Herring-fry and 
feeding their young which remained fluttering and floating on the 
water. 
June 1st. Ringed Plovers in some numbers on Breydon. My 
small son Gilbert, watching the Ringed Plovers on the shingle 
patches on the North Beach, discovered two young birds, that, on 
his stooping over them, squatted flat on the sand ; they did not 
move when he gently lifted them in his hands ; and ran away, 
on being released, in amusing haste. 
June 2nd. Several Turnstones on Breydon Very late travellers. 
The neighbourhood of Belton, four miles S. of Yarmouth, must 
be the metropolis of the Natterjack Toad ( Bufa calamita). It 
abounds everywhere, on marsh, in market garden, on furzy common. 
In a sandy bank, creased with deep lines as if done by a stick, on 
the evening of June 4th, I saw rows of heads peering out; at 
sundown they come out and patrol the gardens, waging war on slugs 
and beetles ; they are then seen running about from duck’s-egg 
sized individuals to little fellows no larger than Barcelona nuts, all 
intent on a supper. It is not to be wondered at that nowhere 
within many miles’ radius are heavier crops of strawberries 
gathered. The country folk treat them kindly ; and have evidently 
learned their worth. 
Several blotched and semi-albino Soles, Brills and other flat fish 
have been preserved for my inspection during the past year. 
June 20th. A late Oyster-catcher on Breydon. When well-fed, 
Gulls sometimes amuse themselves by catching crabs and small 
flounders that they detect flapping or scurrying in the grass- 
covered flats when they are resting upon them. On June 19th, 
several actually captured these creatures, and flying up repeatedly, 
simply dropped them again as if for the very fun of the exercise; 
this occurred quite opposite my houseboat. 
The following note may be worth quoting as written: — “June 
25th. An unusual scarcity of Redshanks on Breydon. Day after 
day and not a bird is seen. I’m told there is a goodly number up 
the Beccles River.” 
