THE BIRDS OF GREAT YARMOUTH AND THE
NEIGHBOURHOOD.
By Arthur Patterson.
(Concluded from p. 105.)
Sterna fluviatilis. Common Tern.—C. This species many years ago nested on Hickling Broad, and on many other parts of the coast, which it has since deserted. It is now most commonly observed leisurely migrating southward in August, following the coast-line in flocks, feeding on the "herring-syle," which may be seen flashing like myriad streaks of burnished silver at the surface of the water. Occasionally young birds may be seen, resting on the beach, fed by the old ones; three were observed thus tended, Aug. 19th, 1891.
S. macrura. Arctic Tern.—F.C. My experience of this species is, that it is in some years almost as plentiful as the preceding species. It follows the coast-line also in autumn, and in company with S. fluviatilis. Was unusually abundant in this neighbourhood in August, 1881, when many were killed. When on the wing, fishing, it is difficult, of course, to distinguish from the Common Tern.
S. minuta. Little Tern—N.U. Said to have formerly nested at Hickling, but had become rare in this county at that period, and has now quite deserted the Yarmouth district. It is occasionally seen on Breydon in autumn. Plentiful on Breydon, Aug. 1881. I saw several, Aug. 1900. It is a charming little creature, whose loveliness alone should ensure its immunity from destruction.
Xema sabinii. Sabine's Gull.—A. Two obtained on Breydon, immature male and female, Oct. 17th and 21st, 1881. A young male "consorting with Lapwings" was shot at Hickling, Oct. 6th, 1889 (Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc).
Larus minutus. Little Gull.—R. R. May be looked for after severe north-westerly gales. Was, prior to February, 1870, considered a very rare species: in that month a tremendous
