Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/127

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ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORFOLK.
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in the local paper as an Imperial Eagle! Neither in this nor last year has there been more than a single Rough-legged Buzzard to report, which is curious, as they are sometimes common.

The last three weeks of September were much too fine for bird-migration, and quite hot for the time of year. October 1st gave 75·5° at a shaded thermometer of Mr. Preston's, a nearly unprecedented reading; but on the 2nd the weather changed, but only to be fine again on the 3rd. In consequence, ploughing for the autumn wheat-sowing, very backward (owing to want of rain); and in such weather no rarities were to be expected in the bird line. On Oct. 13th Mr. Bird gathered twenty-four species of wild flowers in bloom.

October.

5th.—Eleven Norfolk Plovers† at Hevingham, where I learned from the owner of the land that a pair had bred this summer; he caught a young one. This considerable tract of heath is now the only resort of Œdicnemus scolopax in East Norfolk since Kelling Heath was deserted.

10th.—An adult Buffon's Skua,† shot at Beeston Regis by Mr. Hoare while flying over a turnip-field just after a gale there from the N.W., in which a ship was wrecked.

14th.—Grey Crows and Jackdaws streaming over (Bird). Little or no wind at Keswick.

19th.—Mr. Cole gave me an opportunity of examining an immature Sabine's Gull,† shot at Lowestoft yesterday, which makes the ninth local occurrence in this same month. It was in good condition, and weighed 7¼ oz., and was in the usual plumage. Wind on the 18th S., force 5; misty at Yarmouth.

27th.—About this time a considerable influx of migratory Larks, Finches, Martins, &c, noticed by correspondents.

30th.—Two Tengmalm's Owls picked up alive at Southwold, in Suffolk ('Field,' Feb. 1st, 1902), and another at Thornham (Archdale).

31st.—A Grey Shrike,† of the variety called Pallas's Shrike, brought into Yarmouth by a fishing-smack. Mr. Dutt writes that other trawlers have been visited by migrants; a Starling alighted on one, followed by a Sparrow-Hawk, which was killed by the fisherman with his boot. Mr. Dutt found a Partridge