NOTES FROM YARMOUTH. 
195 
Breydon swarmed with Herring-syle in J uly ; on the 30th 
I observed, for some time, a Heron standing near the edge of 
a mud-fiat simply gorging himself with the lively fry. Young 
Herons seemed more numerous on Breydon than for some years 
past. 
When steaming through the Roadstead on August 8th 
I passed several Guillemots — a very early arrival south. 
I also observed from the deck of a steamboat on the 10th, 
a flock of eight Scoters ( CEdemia nigra ) ; also an unusually 
early record. 
A Dunlin on August 13th deliberately took to the water, 
and swam in company with about 30 Redshanks, whose entire 
legs were submerged while enjoying a bath. 
I was fortunate, on August 15th, in seeing two adult and 
two young Montagu’s Harriers when rowing in the vicinity 
of Horsey Mere. A nest had been built at a swampy corner, 
and three young had been hatched, one of them subsequently 
being missed. They flew around with tails spread and 
wings extended, with an ease and grace that was interesting 
to see. They were shy and did not come within 500 yards. 
I saw one old Harrier with what I took to be a small bird, 
and observed a youngster sail up to receive it, flying under 
its parent, which dropped its victim, the other adroitly 
catching it in mid-air. 
Ten Sheld-ducks feeding on Breydon, on August 25th. 
I also noted four young Wigeon, an early arrival. Not far 
away from my house-boat three Black-tailed Godwits ( Limosa 
belgica) were feeding for quite a half-hour. Their movements 
are the most dainty and graceful of any bird I know ; and when 
feeding they utter a sharp broken “ Clat-wick ” at intervals. 
On the 28 th August I was honoured by a visit from a young 
Spotted Shank ( Totanus fuscus). This bird flies very much 
like a Heron, with quick wing-beats, with legs extended, 
and with head drawn back. The note is a clear “ ptir-ptir.” 
Its mode of feeding is like that of the Greenshank, but with 
a quick, straight-out, and diagonal movement as it proceeds, 
undoubtedly striking at Shrimps. Several Greenshanks 
bore it company. 
