Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/441

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THE BIRDS OF GREAT YARMOUTH.
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to hear the Starlings on town chimneys most accurately mimicking the Curlew, Golden Plover, &c. It is often seen hovering over Breydon with Gulls, picking up floating refuse; and in summer sometimes aping Swallows catching insects on the wing. In September, 1899, an escaped Molothrus bonariensis attached itself for some time to a flock of Starlings, which its black colour closely resembled.

Pastor roseus. Rose-coloured Starling.—R. Paget records three: one shot by Capt. Manby near the hospital, April, 1820; a fine male shot at Lound in June, 1851; a female was obtained at Yarmouth in September, 1856.

Nucifraga caryocatactes. Nutcracker.—R. One shot at Rollesby, Oct. 30th, 1844; another shot off Yarmouth, Oct. 7th, 1853 (Nor. N. S. vol. iv. p. 283).

Garrulus glandarius. Jay.—L.L. Still found and persecuted in the wooded districts south of Yarmouth.

Pica rustica. Magpie.—L.L. Frequenting same locality as the Jay, has meted out to it the same fate. When living in Dublin, in 1890, I was surprised at the tame audacity of this species, which seemed somewhat numerous in Phœnix Park. At the Gardens they would alight near one's seat, and snap up titbits thrown to them.

Corvus monedula. Jackdaw.—Nests in one or two village churches north of Yarmouth; used to nest in the chimney of a high old house in heart of the town. On its recent demolition I saw in a niche about twenty well-preserved skeletons of young birds. Great numbers arrive with other Corvidæ. Early morning flights usually fly high and noisily. Some flying north, Feb. 17th, 1892.

C. corax. Raven.— A. "Now rarely seen" (Paget). I have recognized it only on one or two occasions flying overhead in autumn.

C. corone. Carrion-Crow.—L.L. Have occasionally met with it on Breydon flats, where Rooks also at times congregate in some numbers.

C. cornix. Hooded Crow.— C. Great numbers usually pass over in autumn, many locating for the winter in the neighbourhood. In severe weather becomes predaceous; have then known it seize wounded birds in presence of the gunners. Six observed