September.
11th.—Another Green-backed Porphyrio shot at Barton Broad, as I learnt from Mr. Southwell while absent in Scotland. This is the fifth of these unfortunates in the same locality; but it is impossible to claim them as genuine migrants, for, though with one exception in perfect condition and plumage, they are probably some turned out by the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey, in Bedfordshire. Mr. H. Saunders and I make it only 120 miles on the map in a straight line from Woburn to Barton Broad; the instinct which led so many to the same place, and that place so suitable to their requirements, is very remarkable. Whether they began their journey together, or not, it is morally certain that they did not all arrive at the Broad district at the same time, being far too noisy and conspicuous to remain long hidden. The first, on June 23rd, had probably just escaped, but in August Mr. E. Meade Waldo,—who, together with the Duchess, have kindly given every information,—informs me there were about sixty of these splendid "Poules sultanes" at large, fullwinged, and already quite wild in Woburn Park. None were reported anywhere but in Norfolk, so far as I could learn, but a Purple Porphyrio was killed in Yorkshire (J. Cordeaux). If any more are turned out it would be a good plan to put dated aluminium rings on their legs, and we could then be sure of their owners and trace their wanderings. We can only promise them the same inhospitable reception they met with before, so long as the reed-mowers are allowed guns, for they, like all the rest of the tribe of Norfolk gunners, are incapable of leaving any bird alone, and the persecution of Montagu's Harriers and Barn Owls is especially regretable. If these Porphyrios had been unmolested they might possibly have nested, as they did in a semiwild state at Mr. Meade Waldo's place in Kent.
21st.—A Shag, caught alive at Grimston Road by the side of the railway, is the only item in my diary calling for notice, a strange contrast to the list of rarities recorded for September, 1896, and to many of the same months in previous years.
October.
7th.—Wind S.W. Grey Phalarope at Breydon Broad (B. Dye).
