762 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
on Breydon. Several [Bewicks, I believe] were observed on 
the Broads. 
On November 21st a Spoonbill shot, an unusual visitor at 
this period of the year. 
December 19th. I observed a pair of Grey Wagtails 
( Motacilla melanope ) hunting among the tangle and refuse 
washed up on the timber rafts lying by the edge of Breydon. 
This bird haunts the neighbourhood of tidal waters more 
than any other of the family. 
December 26th. My usual Boxing Day ramble was 
rewarded by a sight of many Ducks leading south along the 
roadstead. From Gorleston pier-head, on the bleakest day 
of the winter, I observed quite bo Sheld-ducks in one flock, 
and 30 in another ; most beautiful they looked, too, upon the 
wing. Hundreds of Scoters had been passing during the day. 
Wind E., and as keen as a razor. 
Immediately following the cold snap of the 27th, Fowl 
became abundant on the Broads, and the Coots came to 
Breydon. On the 28th the Coots mustered some hundreds, 
and set the gunners in a ferment. These birds seem loth to 
return to the Broads when once they have tasted the Zostera ; 
they learn very soon also to give the gunners a wide berth. 
December 29th. Little Auk ( Mergns alle) seen flying along 
over the breakers. Nineteen Godwits ( Limosa lapponica) 
observed on the beach, and a flock of some 200 Snow Buntings 
alighted on the sands but did not stay there, betaking them- 
selves almost immediately to the marshes. 
Since the death of Durrant, the well-remembered game 
dealer, who purchased, practically, anything, fewer birds are 
seen in the market, local gunners eating their “ game,” or 
disposing of it privately ; and only odd bunches of Coots, 
Moorhens, Ducks, Lapwings, Wood Pigeons, and a few others, 
are distributed among the stalls of country folk who indulge 
in a little desultory sport when a few birds come their way. 
Rare birds are immediately taken to the two or three local 
stuffers, and disposed of sub rosa. Hence many interesting 
birds are obtained that are never heard of outside a very 
narrow circle. 
