NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
755 
X. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM YARMOUTH. 
By Arthur H. Patterson. 
Read 30 th March, 1909. 
1908. 
In my last year’s report I lamented that the year 11)07 was 
one ol the least interesting in my experience ; 1908, however, 
proved even less productive ; the summer months were 
exceedingly dreary; I did very little satisfactory work, and 
the entries in my note-book were even less interesting than 
in 1907. 
On January 30th I tested the gastronomic qualities of 
a 23-lb. second year Swan which I found tender and well 
flavoured. 
A most unusual flight of Woodcocks arrived late in Januarv, 
probably birds that had come southward from Scotland, 
following on bad weather. 
Part of the cranium of an exceedingly large Whale was 
washed up on the beach early in February ; it weighed nearly 
1 cwt., and was in all probability that of a Greater Rorqual. 
Early in February the local shrimpers started business, 
and made large catches of “ Pink ” Shrimps (.Esop’s Prawn). 
This year (1909) several of them got afloat during the middle 
of J anuary, with equal success. “Pinks” in January had 
hitherto been unknown. They were, in both instances, 
large in berry, and as this species also spawns in the early 
autumn, the presumption is that they breed twice yearly. 
February 16th. Hundreds of Hooded Crows came in from 
due E.. and alighted on the beach, no doubt to rest on their 
northern journey. 
On March 3rd I purchased a very beautiful 10-inch Brill 
(Rhombus Icevis) ; the upper surface was white, save a ring of 
the normal colour round each eye, and ten blackish spots, 
VOL. VIII. 
