Page:VCH Norfolk 1.djvu/270

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A HISTORY OF NORFOLK 1 86. White-eyed or Ferruginous Duck. Fuligula nyroca (Goldenstadt). The white-eyed or ferruginous duck has occurred over twenty times in Norfolk. The hybrid between this species and the pochard, known as Paget's pochard, has also been met with here on four occasions, last in January, 1897. This specimen is still living on Mr. Gurney's pond at Keswick (July, 1900). 187. Tufted Duck. Fu/igu/a cristata {Lezch). The tufted duck is a common winter visitor, and breeds freely in parts of south- west Norfolk. 188. Scaup-Duck. Fuligula marila (Linn.). This duck is a common winter visitor to the coast, sometimes in large numbers ; it is occasionally met with on the inland waters. 189. Goldeneye. Clangula glauc'ton {L,' n.). The goldeneye is a common winter visitant, but has been met with here in pairs well into May and once in July. 190. Buffel-headed Duck. Clangula albeola (Linn.). The buffel-headed duck was first made known as British from a specimen now in the Norwich Museum, which was killed at Yar- mouth in 1830. 191. Long-tailed Duck. Harelda glacialis (Linn.). Young long-tailed ducks are common, but adults much more seldom met with. A long- tailed duck in full breeding plumage has been killed on Hickling Broad, and another at Acle on June 14th, 1885. [Harlequin-Duck. Cosmonetta hhtrionka (Linn.). There is a harlequin-duck in the Norwich Museum which was presented in 1839, and entered as killed at Yarmouth ; the locality however wants confirmation.] 192. Common Eider. Somateria mollissima (Linn.). This species is occasionally met with on our coast, but adult males are rarely seen. 193. King-Eider. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). Three undoubted examples of the king- eider have been procured, all at Hunstanton ; the first, which I found stuffed and cased in a game dealer's shop in that town, was killed in January, 1888, it is a young male and is now in the Norwich Museum. 194. Steller's Eider. Somateria stelleri {TaWas). This is another of the numerous additions to the avifauna of Britain which the neigh- bourhood of Yarmouth has yielded. The only example of Steller's duck for a long time known was a nearly adult male killed at Caistor, in February, 1830, now in the Norwich Museum. The second and only other British example known was killed on the Yorkshire coast in 1845. 195. Common Scoter. CEdemia nigra (Linn.). The ' black duck ' is sometimes seen in immense numbers off the Norfolk coast and may be observed in small numbers at all seasons of the year. Some frequented Hick- ling Broad in the summer of 1875. 196. Velvet-Scoter. (Edemia fusca (Linn.). The velvet-scoter is a regular visitant in winter off our coast, but by no means numerous. 197. Goosander. Mergus merganser^ Linn. Not infrequent in the winter months and seems to affect the inland rivers and lakes. At the time of writing (February, 1900) I am informed there are goosanders on the lake at Holkham. They also frequent the lake at Gunton, and have been killed on the river at Hellesdon and Drayton above Norwich. 198. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus ser- rator, Linn. The red-breasted merganser has of late years been singularly rare with us. It has been observed that when the goosander is met with this species is generally absent. 199. Smew. Mergus alhellus, Linn. The smew is not very rare as a winter visitant, generally in immature plumage ; adult males however are rare in ordinary seasons. Like the goosander they seem partial to fresh-water lakes and streams, and were regular visitors to Holkham lake, which after a temporary desertion they have re- turned to and are again present this season, February, 1900. [Hooded Merganser. Mergus cucullatus (Linn.). The hooded merganser is said to have been obtained at Yarmouth in 1829, and again some time prior to 1838, but the evidence in each case seems to be incomplete.] 200. Ring-Dove or Wood-Pigeon. Columba palumbus., Linn. This bird is common and generally dis- tributed, the home birds go south in severe weather and are replaced by immigrants from farther north and over-sea. 238