Œdemia nigra. Common Scoter.—C. Flocks every winter off the coast; sometimes by hundreds. Very restless during snowy weather, with east winds. In ordinary weather will feed and drift towards the shore, occasionally flying back to some favourite feeding ground. Often seen in the Ham (a kind of bay), Gorleston. During December, 1899, millions of Mactra stultorum were washed ashore, mostly living. This mollusc is found an inch or two below the surface of the sand. On this species, no doubt, the Scoter delights to feed. Local, "Mussel-duck," "Black Duck."
O.fusca. Velvet-Scoter.—R.R. "Occasionally shot in hard winters; several in the severe one of 1829-30" (Paget). The same description applies to-day. Mr. E.T. Booth met with flocks of Velvet Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks off Yarmouth, February, 1882. One entangled in a herring-net off Caister, Oct. 21st, 1893.
Mergus merganser. Goosander.—N.C. Messrs. Paget record it as occasionally met with here in sharp weather. A punt-gunner killed five, all females, Jan. 11th, 1871. Several of both sexes, January, 1881 (B. of S.). The crop of one killed a few years ago contained several small Roach. Fine adult male in the market, Dec. 20th, 1899, and a female equally as good near Potter Heigham, Dec. 21st, 1899. Local, "Saw-bill."
M. serrator. Red-breasted Merganser.—R.R. "Not uncommon in hard winters; several in 1829-30" (Paget). It is a very uncertain visitor; in some years several, in others none. Several, January, 1894.
M. albellus. Smew.—N.U. Occasionally met with in severe winters in varying numbers. A good old male now and again shot in January. On Jan. 15th, 1881, a curiously mottled male, which had more than half assumed the white garb, was obtained on Breydon. Several in January, 1891, and in January, 1894. Local, "White Nun," "Weasel-duck."
[M. cucullatus. Hooded Merganser.—A. Messrs. Paget state that one of these birds was killed in the winter of 1829, "which Mr. Selby has"; but subsequent enquiries have failed to substantiate the record, or trace the specimen.]
Columba palumbus. Wood-Pigeon.—C. Huge flocks occasionally pass over from the north-east at the autumnal migratory
