484 mr. a. pattbrson’s natural history notes from Yarmouth. 
XII. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM YARMOUTH, 
By A. Patterson. 
Read 38th March, 1899. 
1898. 
March 1st. Saw the end of the most remarkable “ shooting 
season ” I ever remember. I never saw fewer wild-fowl. In one 
day, last year, Durrant had more fowl on his stall than during the 
whole of the past season. The open weather accounted for much 
of this paucity. 
In March, however, the greatest number of Widgeon visited 
Breydon, “ more in fact,” said Chambers (the watcher), “than he 
had seen for several years.” He thought the numbers increased 
yearly. 
Eight Redshanks appeared on the Bure marshes on March 13th. 
I think, if unmolested, these birds would increase. I saw one flock 
of over a hundred individuals, one day last autumn, on a Breydon 
side “Rond;” the greatest flock I had seen for years. They were, 
doubtless, bred in the neighbourhood. Now the close season is 
extended one month longer few will be shot. 
An uncommon number of Craig-flukes ( Pleuronectes cynoglossus ) 
have turned up this spring. They must be very numerous in the 
Wash. They are sold cheaply and eaten for Dabs. A left-handed 
Plaice, about ten inches long, came in on the 10th March. 
On March 28th a Shag was brought in from sea. It was, with 
a long cord tied to its leg, enjoying a dip in the river when I first 
saw it. I purchased it, and found it for three weeks an interesting 
pet. It soon answered to my call, and would catch fish when 
thrown to it. When hungry, it uttered a harsh discordant trumpet 
