Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/437

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE BIRDS OF GREAT YARMOUTH.
403

Denes up till the eighties. Have observed it feeding on the Field Vole (Microtus agrestis). Have observed young birds once since. Less frequent than formerly. Local, "Butcher-bird."

L. pomeranus. Woodchat Shrike.—R. An example obtained at Bradwell, April, 1829; another, April 29th, 1859; and a third, May, 1885. One also at Gorleston.

Ampelis garrulus. Waxwing.—R.R. An uncertain winter visitor. In some years arrives in most unexpected numbers; in others few, if any, are recorded. Early in 1893, several obtained in neighbourhood.

Muscicapa grisola. Spotted Flycatcher.—F. Have observed it darting at passing flies from a gravestone in Yarmouth churchyard, returning again to its look-out to watch for others.

M. atricapilla. Pied Flycatcher.—R.R. Unusual numbers observed on North Denes, June 1st, 1898.

M. parva. Red-breasted Flycatcher.—A. An immature female shot at Rollesby, Dec. 12th, 1896; the fourth example for the county, two of the others occurring in September, the third in October.

Hirundo rustica. Swallow.—C. Less frequently nesting in town; its nests are common enough in the pump-mills dotting the marshes, where they are found variously shaped, sometimes like a saucer on top a beam, at another fitting a hole formed by the crumbling of a brick. In 1878 a pair nested in the hold of a hulk, full of water, in the centre of Breydon, successfully rearing their young.

Chelidon urbica. Martin.—C. Have almost altogether forsaken the town through the persecution of the Sparrows, and from the constant destruction of their nests from the mud being rendered unstable, the roads being watered with sea-water.

Cotile riparia. Sand-Martin.—C. Last nested in sand-hills on North Denes in 1879. Great numbers come into the vicinity of the town in autumn; frequents the beach during westerly winds, seeking insects. Have found its nest in the Gorleston sand-cliffs lined with Flustra folicea and Gull's feathers.

Ligurinus chloris. Greenfinch.—C. Much persecuted by gardeners at radish-sowing-time, when, in company with Chaffinches, pilfering the beds. Augmented by arrivals in autumn, but they appear to strike the coast some miles north of Yarmouth,