"hovering" in different directions across the marshlands. Additions in autumn. Local, "Wind-hoverer."
Pandion haliaëtus. Osprey.—R.R. "One or two shot nearly every year on Breydon or the Broads" (Paget). Was undoubtedly more common in the earlier half of the century, before the shoals of Grey Mullet (Mugil capito) forsook Breydon, owing to the great silting up of that basin. Two on Filby Broad, Sept. 20th, 1898. were observed fishing.
Phalacrocorax carbo. Cormorant.— N.C. According to Sir Thomas Browne this species nested in trees at Reedham, "from whence Charles the First was wont to be supplied" (Nor. N.S. vol. iv. p. 417). Till within a year ago, "we had (at Herringfleet) always more or less Cormorants with us all the year round, but more especially in winter" ('Rough Notes on Natural History,' by H.M.L.), in 1825 there were several nests there. It occasionally follows the Herring shoals, and I have observed odd birds on Breydon in spring. Six were seen there on May 25th, 1890, and seventeen on May 19th, 1892.
P. graculus. Shag.—R.R. "Very rare," according to Messrs. Paget. May be more frequent after the Herring shoals than is observed. I procured one alive on March 28th, 1898, from a fishing-smack, which became an interesting pet. It ate 2½ lb. of fish per diem., vomiting the more indigestible bones. Another, brought me alive on Nov. 11th, 1899.
Sula bassana. Gannet.— C. "Not uncommon; several were shot in the roads after the severe gale of Oct. 31st, 1827" (Paget). Is now fairly common out at sea during the fishing season. An adult specimen secured on Breydon, Sept. 24th, 1865. I have observed several washed ashore at different times, three as recently as Dec. 8th, 1899; these were possibly drowned, and thrown out of the Herring-nets.
Ardea cinerea. Common Heron.—C. Does not appear to have greatly diminished of late years. The Mautby heronry has disappeared since 1874, but a new one exists at Reedham. I have frequently seen upwards of twenty Herons at a time feeding in company on Breydon flats, where they may be watched catching Eels and Flounders. Local, "Hernsher."
A. purpurea. Purple Heron.— A. "Has been killed three or four times" (Paget). An example, "Breydon, 1850 or 1857"
