Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 4 (1846).djvu/150

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Birds.

minck upon the point are perhaps worth transcribing. "L'oiseau que les naturalistes signalent sous le nom de Coucou roux ne me parait autre chose qu'un etat different du Coucou gris, probablement ce meme oiseau age d'un an. Plusieurs naturahstes ont pris le jeune coucou pour le Coucou roux parce-que la livree du jeune age offre toujours quelques legeres traces de raies rousses;

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D' autres ont voulu faire passer le Coucou roux pour femelle du gris ; mais ceux-la se trompent egalement, car il n' existe aucune difference dans le plumage des sexes ; plusieurs Coucous roux que j'ai dissegues etaient males."

Roller, Coracias garrula. The roller is a very rare bird in Norfolk, but several well authenticated instances have occurred of its capture in the county.

Bee-Eater, Merops apiaster. The bee-eater has also, in a few in- stances, been taken in Norfolk, but it must be considered as a very rare visitor.

Kingfisher, Alcedo ispida. Common throughout the year, and breeds in the county ; its numbers being increased in the months of August and September by migratory arrivals on the coast.

Swallow, Hirundo rustica, Martin, Hirundo urbica, Sand Martin, Hirundo riparia. Very common in summer, and breed in Norfolk.

Swift, Cypselus apus. A common summer visitant, and nests with us.

White-bellied Swift, Cypselus alpinus. A specimen of the alpine swift was taken at Old Buckenham in Norfolk, in September, 1831.

Nightjar, Caprimulgus Europæus. A common summer visitant in most heathy and sandy districts, arriving in May, and departing about September. It lays its eggs about the middle of June. During the day the nightjar seems to be fond of basking in the sun or the side of a dry ditch or sandy hollow, from which situations, we have fre- quently disturbed it.

Ring Dove, Columba palumbus. Very common throughout the year, and nests with us.

Stock Dove, Columba œnas. Also common throughout the year, and breeds in the county ; but is less numerous and more local than the preceding species. It is most plentiful in the neighbourhood of rabbit warrens, nesting in the deserted burrows.

Turtle Dove, Columba turtur. A common summer visitant, and nests in Norfolk, but is probably less numerous than in the more southern counties.