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AN ANNOTATED LIST OF VERTEBRATA OCCURRING ABOUT EUSTON BESIDE THE SUFFOLK BRECKLAND. BY THE REV. REDMOND B. CATON, M.A. THIS List centres
in Great Fakenham vilage, embraces Euston to north and Bamham to west, extending into Coney Weston on east and Sapiston on south. Through the centre of the district passes the small River Blackbourn, running due north to join the westward-flowing Little Ouse, which divides the whole from Rushford and Thetford, with its famous warren. Peculiar interest lies in the juncture here of the open Breckland heaths, composed of blown-sands underlain by chalk, with rather light Pleistdcene boulder-clay which overlies the whole country south and east. But the latter leaves beside the Blackbourn a strip of breck-chalk, whereon stands Fakenham ; along the east bank is more breck running south to Sapiston bridge, inside which strip is Pleistocene valley-gravel extending to Bardwell and peat-bog north of that bridge ; while opposite, just south of Fakenham Magna, glacial-gravel outcrops nearly as far as Honington. Thus we find the Euston District border ing upon the eastern edge of Suffolk Breckland, with its Park of eleven hundred acres rising eastwardly uphill on the boulderclay that has always been timbered. For the rest, the fauna is that indigenous to the open heaths which stretch fully ten miles westward to the great Fens of Cambridge. Here is not the place to touch upon the specialised geology of the Breck ; and I will merely say that the mediaeval sterility of Euston's fifteen hundred acres is well displayed in the assessments of 1327 and 1454. Though it was already partly sheep-walks in 1315 (Patent Rolls, 8 Edward ii, pt. ii, 271), not tili near the end of thefifteenthCentury did the Rokewood family find the wealth of wool it would produce. Tree-planting began so late as 1667—hence, perhaps, our lack of Rookery; though, before about 1884 when the birds were driven away, there was one in the small Cold Harbour wood between Rymer and Euston—by Sir Henry Bennet; and in 1671 royal licence was accorded this same " Lord Arlington to impark two thousand acres of land in Euston, Little and Great Fakenham, Sapiston and Coney Weston, with grant of free warren" (State Papers 515, 546 and 592). Fakenham Parva parish was swallowed into this Park, and the post office has recently most foolishly and confusingly dubbed Fakenham Magna as " Little Fakenham," in Order to distinguish it from Fakenham in Norfolk ! Very wild the District surely was tili a Century
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ago : the road from Euston to Bamham was first " made new " in 1809 (Turner's coeval Diary) ; now Fakenham Wood, just east of the Park, is the largest timbered tract and, with Park Grove, Covers some three hundred acres, excluding Great Grove, Lankets and Long spinney. These with the mingling of heath, upland, marsh and two small rivers, render the whole a paradise for all kinds of birds, excepting the ruthlessly slaughtered raptores. My List is taken from notes made during a forty-four years' residence ; it refers to Vertebrates around Euston only, and not to those of Suffolk Breckland as a whole. Very nearly all the records are personal observations of my own. i.
PISCES—Fish.
Perch (Perca fluviatilis, L.).—Have caught several below Jockey Boys hole, when spinning for Pike. Burbot (Lota vulgaris, Cuv.).t—None in the river here, but plentiful between Euston and Bamham in Little Ouse ; one brought up by the dredger was shown me 6 May 1929. Three-spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus, Linn.).! Ten-spined Stickleback (G. pungitius, Linn. ; here confirmed as occurring in Suffolk : cf. Vict. Hist. i, 168). I have seen both these where ditch joins the river, at end of our field. Pike (Esox lucius, Linn.).—Were plentiful, but less numerous than formerly. Largest I have caught above the island, 61 lbs. Once caught nine in a morning below the agent's house in Euston, though none large. Carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linn., here confirmed as occurring in Suffolk : cf. Vict. Hist. i, 168).—Said to exist in a pond between Euston and Bamham. [They certainly do so in the lake at Bradfield Combust Hall.] Gudgeon (Gobio fluviatilis, Flem.).—Common. Roach (Leuciscus rutilus, Linn.).—Not as plentiful as formerly. Rev. W. L. Green of Hepworth caught one at Sapiston of 2 lbs. 3 ozs. many years ago. One of 1 lb. 15 ozs. at Fakenham in Feb. 1929. But the fish in the Blackbourn River here have greatly decreased in number of late t One, now in Brit. Mus., taken in 1903 and three in 1905 at Thetford (Tr. Norf. Nat. Soc. viii.p. 392). Two captured in the River Lark near Mildenhall in January 1914 (W. H. Tuck, lib. cit. ix., p. 831) ; these were ofabout two lbs. each, but usually specimens are larger and common in many of the dykes and tributaries of the Lark there, where the pink flesh is considered very good to eat (l.c.p. 818). X This fish forms food of Little Terns (Sterna minuta, L.) in ditches south side of Breydon Water (cf. Trans. Norf. Nat. Soc. vü, p. 567); well as that of Eels (Anguilla vulgaris, T u r t . : lib. cit. vin, p. 317). I t colloquially known as the " Stanakel " in Norfolk and " Tantittle "
Suffolk.—Ed.
on as is in
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VERTEBRATA OCCURRING ABOUT EUSTON.
years; forme rly there were large shoals of Roach and Dace : these ai e not to be seen now. There is no accounting for this, as there has been no pollution as in the Lark, but the weeds have grown much in spite of the dredging : formerly they were cut every year. Chub (Leuciscus cepha'us, Linn., a species N E W TO S U F F O L K ) . — D. G. Warrand ca.ight one of 4 lbs. in 1904, on fly ; one caught of 4 lbs. in 1926, on fly. Not so many large ones as years ago. Dace (L. dobula, Linn.).—Common. Rudd (L. erythrophthalmus, Linn.). Minnow (L. phoximus, Linn.).—Common. Tench (Tinea vulgaris, Cuv.).—In the mill-hole at Euston. Eel (Anguilla vulgaris, Turt.).—Common. Two large ones brought up by the dredger from Jockey. Boys hole in September 1926. A large quantity üsed to be caught at Sapiston mill : a former miller's man told me that they fixed a net some fifteen feet long below the sluice, raised the hatch a little, and then the Eels poured out ; he had filled a wheelbarrow with them, and considered July to be their best month.§ ii.
REPTILIA—REPTILES.
Common Lizard (Lacerta vivipara, Jacq.).—Scarce. Have seen one or two in my kitchen-garden. Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis, Linn.).—See one or two in rectory shrubbery and the churchyard most summers; they generally get killed, I suppose under the idea that they are snakes. Viper (Vipera berus, Linn.).—Lillingston told me years ago that Vipers existed in the covert on west going to Bamham, but I have no proof of it. Have never seen a Snake of any kind here.t § I n his " V e r t e b r a t e Animals f o u n d in t h e neighbourhood of T h e t f o r d , " W . G. Clarke s t a t e s t h a t " L a k e B r e a m , Abramis brama [ L i n n . : ' C o m m o n ' —Vict. Hist.], are v e r y a b u n d a n t in t h e B r a n d o n river, a t t a i n i n g large size." Also h e gives a n e x t r a c t f r o m a l e t t e r f r o m F r a n k N o r g a t e : " March 3rd 1884. W e c a u g h t in a n h o u r a b o u t one h u n d r e d L a m p e r n s in S a n t o n D o w n h a m , viz. : Petromyzon fluviatilis a n d P. Pianeri a n d e v e r y possible i n t e r m e d i a t e v a r i e t y b e t w e e n t h e s e forms, p r o v i n g t h a t t h e y are b u t one species. A f t e r w a r d s I heard t h a t D r . G ü n t h e r h a d arrived a t t h e s a m e conclusion, i n d e p e n d e n t l y of m y c a t c h . " [Both f o r m s are recorded f r o m Norfolk, b u t n o t Suffolk, in Vict. Hist. Suff. 172. — E d . ] . I h a v e never seen, or heard of, either of t h e a b o v e fishes in t h e river h e r e . — R . B . C. t Miss Grace W a t s o n teils us she h a s seen Tropidonotus natrix, Linn., in Monks' S o h a m c h u r c h y a r d , a b o u t 1900 ; a n d a local m a n saw a n o t h e r n e a r t h e r e on 13 M a y 1931. W e h a v e one, f o u n d suspended on a k e e p e r ' s tree a t F o x h a l l on 10 M a r c h 1900 ; a n d noted a n a d u l t speeimen on 2 Oct. 1917 j u s t outside T a n g h a m F o r e s t , recently p a r t l y b u r n e d b y German incendiary bombs.—Ed.
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AMPHIBIA—Batrachians.
Common Frog (Rana temporaria, Linn.). Common Toad ( B u f o vulgaris, Laur.). Smooth Newt (Molge vulgaris, Linn.).—In some ponds. Have seen them in pit at top of Fakenham, but it has contained little or no water of late. iv.
AVES—Birds.
Non-nesting species are asterisked. * Mistle-Thrush (Turdus viscivorus, Linn.).—Suffered severely in winter of 1929. Song-Thrush (T. musicus, Linn.).—Appear to be scarce this winter and have sung little. Redwing (T. Iliacus, Linn.).*—Annual migrant. Suffered more than next in 1929. Fieldfare (T. pilaris, Linn.).*—Annual migrant. None seen in autumn of 1930 ; but eight on 16 January 1931. Blackbird (T. merula, Linn.). Wheatear (Saxicola cenanthe, Linn.).—Some pairs seen every year. Whinchat (Pratincola rubetra, Linn.).—Annual migrant, but scarce. Stonechat (P. rubicola, Linn.).—Not common ; saw a cock on 20 Dec. 1930 and 6 Jan. 1931. Redstart (Ruticilla phcenicurus, Linn.).—Nested in box at Fakenham rectory in 1898 and 1899. Have not seen one for some years ; they seem to have deserted the district since 1920. Redbreast (Erithacus rubecula, Linn.). Nightingale (.Daulias luscinia, Linn.).—Seemed to be decreasing in 1920, but is holding its own now. Nests in Fakenham rectory grounds : one nest 3-ft. 6-ins. above ground. Whitethroat (Sylvia cinerea, Bech.).—Common. Lesser Whitethroat (S. curruca, Linn.).—Not as numerous as preceding. Blackcap (S. atricapilla, Linn.).—Many in 1908 and 1920; a decrease last year. Garden-Warbier (S. hortensis, Bech.).—Annual migrant. Has nested at Fakenham rectory. Gold-crest Wren (Regulus cristatus, Koch) .—Nested in a yew at Fakenham rectory. [Nest also found at Icklingham Plains, by Mr. Ernest A. Elliott.—Ed.] (?)Fire-crest Wren (R. ignicapillus, Breh.).*—Reported by workmen as seen in the grounds of Euston Hall in December 1912 : needs confirmation. [Doubtfully Suffolcian—Ed.] Chiffchaff (.Phylloscopus rufus, Bech.).—Not common ; a pair or two at Euston.
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Willow-Warbier (P. trochilus, Linn.).—Annual migrant; not rare. Wood-Warbier (P. sibilatrix, Bech.).—Seen in an oak covert at Fakenham ; not uncommon. Reed-Warbier (Acrocephalus strepems, Vie.).—Nests annually in Rushford carr, and has spread to reed beds between Fakenham and Sapiston. Sedge-Warbler (A. phragmitis, Bech.).—The commonest kind here on the rivers. Grasshopper-Warbier (Locustella ncevia, Bod.).—Heard in Rushford carr on 14 May 1910. Its local nesting is doubtful. Hedge-Sparrow (Accentor modularis, Linn.).—Common.t Long-tailed Tit (Acredula caudata, Linn.).—A few families present annually, but it seems to suffer much in hard winters. Great Tit (Parus major, Linn.).—Nested in a pump at Fakenham rectory for nine years, and again in 1930 ; does so annually in a box. Coal Tit (P. ater, Linn.).—Nested in a box in 1903, and in a tree at Fakenham rectory in 1930. Marsh Tit (P. palustris, Linn.).—Not very common ; has fed on bird-table at Fakenham rectory. Blue Tit (P. cceruleus, Linn.).—Nests in boxes at Fakenham rectory. Nuthatch (Sitta ccesia, Wolf).—Nests annually in the same box at Fakenham. Wren (Troglodytes parvulus, Koch.). Tree-Creeper (Certhia familiaris, Linn.). Pied Wagtail (Motacilla lugubris, Tem.).—Common. White Wagtail (M. alba, Linn.).*—Saw one at Bamham on 10 November 1904 ; a pair by the river at Fakenham on 12 May 1910 ; and another on 2 April 1921. More have been observed, but I am sure of these records. Grey Wagtail (M. melanope, Pall.).*—A migrant, seen mostly in autumn. Yellow Wagtail (M. Raii, Bon.).—Spring migrant; not as plentiful as formerly, possibly owing to fewer cattle on the meadows. Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis, Linn.).—Not common. Meadow Pipit (A. pratensis, Linn.).—Common. J B e a r d e d Reedling ( P a n u r u s biarmicus, Linn.) nests only in N o r f o l k : " A p a i r w a s seen a t St. Olaves o n 17 N o v e m b e r 1905. A f t e r w a r d s I saw t h e m a l e d e a d " (Trans. Norf. N a t Soc. viii, p. 321). T h e l a t e Canon S a w b r i d g e told m e , s o m e t i m e b e f o r e his d e a t h a b o u t 1925, t h a t t h e s e Reedlings h a d b e e n seen on t h e fen b e t w e e n T h e l n e t h a m a n d Bio N o r t o n . T h e R e v . J . E . S a w b r i d g e a n d Dr. T i c e h u r s t saw six or seven p a i r s in R e d g r a v e F e n , Suffolk, e a r l y in April.
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Red-backed Shrike (Lantus collurio, Linn.).—Formerly nested at Fakenham. Plentiful in 1899 ; has decreased.t Waxwing (Ampelis garmlus, Linn.).*—A flock at Fakenham on 14 January 1914. [Noted at Beyton, Rougham and Nowton, all late in 1913 (Tuck, Tr. Norf. Nat. Soc. ix, 831).] Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapagriseola, Linn.).—Nests annually in Fakenham rectory grounds. Swallow (Hirundo rustica, Linn.).—Has not decreased here : earliest local date is 3 April 1897. House Martin (Chelidon urbica, Linn.).—Not decreased: earliest here, 5 April 1897. Sand Martin (Cotile riparia, Linn.).—Common. Earliest arrival was on 9 April 1923. Greenfinch (Ligurinus chloris, Linn.).—Common. Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris, Pall.).—Rare. A nest was in Fakenham rectory grounds in 1895, but the young birds were killed in a cottage garden near, while eating peas. Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans, Ste.).—Increasing. Large flocks in Euston Park on 16 October 1922. Siskin (C. spinus, Linn.).*—Said to have been seen at Fakenham; but doubtful. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus, Linn.).—Too numerous. Destroys Martins' nests. Tree Sparrow (P. montanus, Linn.).—Has nested in box at Fakenham rectory. Chaffinch (Fringilla ccelebs, Linn.).—The commonest kmd of ftnch. Brambling (F. montifringilla, Linn.).*—Seen in winters of 1894, 1895 and 1899 feeding on beech-mast in Company with Chafhnches ; its numbers depend on the quantity of beech-nuts, e.g., none observed during 1930-1. Linnet (.Linola cannabina, Linn.).—Very common; large flocks in winter. Nests on the heaths. Mealy Red-poll (L. linaria, Linn.).*—Three seen at Fakenham on 31 January 1907. Lesser Red-poll (L. rufescens, Vie.).—Not common ; in small flocks on the alders near the river, e.g., on 3 January 1931. Bullfinch (Pyrrhula Europcea, Vie).—Getting decidedly scarce ; has nested in Fakenham rectory garden. Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra, Linn.).—Increasing ; nests annually at Bamham. Feeding on sunflower-seeds on 30 September 1930, and several times seen in fir trees, at Fakenham rectory. t T h i s species is n o t i c e d as h a v i n g been c o m m o n a b o u t F r i t t o n a n d B e i t o n in t h e s u m m e r of 1910 (Trans. Norf. N a t . Soc. ix, p. 194).—A specimen of t h e m u c h r a r e r G r e y Shrike (L. excubitor, Linn.) w a s observed o n Gorleston pier d u r i n g October 1911 (lib. cit. ix, p. 457).
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Corn
Bunting (Emberiza miliaria, Linn.).—Certainlv not common at Fakenham ; more around Bamham, nesting in clover-fields. Yellow Bunting (E. citrinella, Linn.).—Nests annually. t Reed Bunting (E. schceniclus, Linn.).—Nests annually on the fen. Starling (Sturnus vulgaris, Linn.).—Very common, and increasing. Jay (Garndus glandarius, Linn.).—Increased during the late war, and is holding its own. Very destructive to both eggs and young of small birds, and (?) to game eggs.t Magpie (Pico, rustica, Scop.).*—Nearly extinct; appeared during War. A pair tried to nest in 1919, but were shot. Last seen on 5 September 1920. Jackdaw (Corvus monedula, Linn.).—Increased much of late years : very destructive to eggs and young birds. Raven (C. corax, Linn.).*—Heard passing over Fakenham at great height in winter of 1902. Extinct as resident ; but nested about 1870 in Robbinghouse spinney in Euston Park. Carrion Crow (C. corone, Linn.).*—Nests in Euston P a r k ; saw two young birds on 10 May 1929. Hooded Crow (C. cornix, Linn.).—Arrives in October and leaves in late March or early April. Rook (C. frugilegus, Linn.).*—No Rookery here. Autumn migrants arrive in October and leave at end of March. Sky-Lark (Alauda arvensis, Linn.).—Saw a very large flock in Euston Park on 24 December 1929 ; not as numerous as usual during 1931. Wood-Lark (A. arborea, Linn.).—Not uncommon, and said to be increasing. Swift (Cypselus apus, Linn.).—Earliest arrival is 25 April 1923 ; about six pairs nest annually in Fakenham church; leaves usually between 12 and 20 August; in 1929 by 4 August all were gone but one family, which left by 1 Ith : in 1930 all were gone by 17 August. Nightjar (Caprimulgus Europceus, • Linn.).—Decreasing : saw one on fir tree in Fakenham rectory grounds on 6 September 1908 ; nested in belts between there and Euston in 1920. [Nests on heaths common at Brandon and Staverton Thicks.—Ed.] f T h e O r t o l a n B u n t i n g (E. hortulana, Linn.) is u n r e c o r d e d as Suffolcian since 1859, tili on 19 O c t o b e r 1919 t h r e e were seen on L o w e s t o f t D e n e s b y F . C. Cook ; a n d t h e n e x t d a y two, f u r t h e r n o r t h , b y a n o t h e r o b s e r v e r (Tr. Norf. N a t . Soc. xi, p . 587).—Plectrophenax nivalis, Linn., L o w e s t o f t , O c t . 1902 (Field N a t . 41y, ii, 73). J A f e m a l e of t h a t v e r y r a r e v i s i t a n t , t h e N u t c r a c k e r (Nucifraga caryocatactes, Linn.), w a s killed a t B e y t o n n e a r B u r y S t . E d m u n d s o n 10 N o v e m b e r 1911 (W. H . T u c k , T r a n s . Norf. N a t . Soc. ix, p . 460).
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Wryneck (Iynx torquilla, Linn.).*—Used to be fairly common, and nest in boxes at Fakenham rectory : have not seen or heard one for years. Green Woodpecker (Gecinus viridis, Linn.).—Not uncommon. Great-spot Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major, Linn.).—A pair made holes in beech on Fakenham lawn in September, 1929 (Trans, supra, p. 146). Less-spot Woodpecker (D. minor, Linn.).—Do not think it rarer than last, but more difficult to observe : saw one at work on 26 September 1929. Black Woodpecker (Picus Martins : N E W TO S U F F O L K ) . * — My wife and son, while cycling, saw three in Suffolk near Santon Downham on 12 April 1902. The Revd. D. P. Harrison saw a pair in the Lovers Walk at Fakenham in the spring of 1902. [In the Vict. Hist. 1911, 192, Tuck allows no more than " Picus martius is reported to have been seen in Suffolk." Certainly it is confirmed by the above authentic records, coupled with both those of W. S. Sparrow at Euston on 24 October 1902 (Field Newspaper) and " the Rev. E. T. Daubeny of Thetford [rector of Market Weston and later in Norfolk of Southacre, where he died] has stated that a cock bird was observed at Ixworth in July 1897, and three weeks later a pair at Euston Park. Three were observed at the latter place in April 1902, and one in October" (Field Nat. Quarterly 1903,p. 141). So the species is proved to occur in Suffolk, without the horrid necessity of presenting the slain corpus vile: more especially as it is further recorded from Norfolk. The late Rev. E. G. Doughty is said to have seen one at Martlesham. —Ed.] Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida, Linn.).—Nested in a bank on the glebe, far from water. Almost died out in winter of 1895 : a pair or two on the river. Hoopce (Upupa epops, Linn.).*—One seen at Hunhill in Bamham on 20 August 1928: reported to have been shot later. Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus, Linn.).—Increased of late years : earliest arrival is 7 April 1910, latest seen on 15 September 1896. I have eggs mainly from Reed Warbiers' nests. Barn Owl (Strix flammea, Linn.).—Increased during the late war ; now at very low ebb. Long-eared Owl (Asio otus, Linn.).—In fir-woods at Bamham. Short-eared Owl (A. accipitrinus, Pall.).—A winter migrant, said to have nested at Bamham and I have an egg : but needing confirmation. Tawny Owl (Syrnium aluco, Linn.).—The commonest owl here.
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Little Owl (.Athene noctua, Scop.).—First found by me on 10 February 1907 ; two sent by me to Thetford Museum. Has increased (cf. Trans. Norf. Nat. Soc. viii, p. 388). [Later it is become very common in Suffolk : Monks Bradfield (üb. cit. x, p. 179) ; on keepers trees at Martlesham, Foxhall, Fritton, Palmers Heath in Brandon during June 1921 (Doughty), Staverton Thicks (Vinter), and commonly in rabbit-traps at Lound (Ellis).] Marsh Harrier (Circus ceruginosus, Linn.).*—Bamham heaths in 1927. Hen Harrier (C. cyaneus, Linn.).*—Bamham heaths in 1927. Montagu Harrier (C. cineraceus, Mont.).*—Reported to have been seen on Bamham heaths in 1929. Common Buzzard (.Buteo vulgaris, Leach.).*—An immature bird shot at Fakenham on 10 Dec. 1926. Rough-legged Buzzard (B. lagopus, Gmel.).*—Two, from B. Cooper's collection, shot on the Euston estate long ago, now in Thetford Museum. Rarer than formerly. White-tailed Eagle (Halicetus albicilla, Linn.).*—A stuffed specimen, from the same collection, was shot and two others were seen about 1883, during a foggy winter when they lost themselves (Turner), at Bamham. One reported as Aying over Euston Park in January 1917, but doubtful. Col. Mackenzie had a stuffed one, shot at Downham Hall in March, 1911. Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus, Linn.).—A few survive in spite of the keepers. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus, Tun.).*—Annually seen on migration : two shot in January 1893 ; an immature female, brought to me wounded on 16 February 1910, is now in Thetford Museum. Hobby (F. subbuteo, Linn.).*—One shot at Fakenham in July 1922 ; two seen hawking Swallows at Bamham in 1928. Merlin (F. cesalon, Tun.).*—One seen between Bamham and Rymer on 3 November 1905 ; another on 10 April 1918. Kestrel (F. tinnunculus, Linn.).—A few survive in spite of the keepers. Osprey (Pandion halicetus, Linn.).*—A stuffed specimen at Euston Hall, shot many years ago by a Mr. St. John. Common Heron (Ardea cinerea, Linn.).—Frequents the Blackbourn River all the year : a pair or two nested at Taylors Grove in Fakenham tili the trees were blown down on 20 February 1910 ; nested at Euston tili the Scots pines were felled in war-time ; not more than two nests, at the most. [An immature specimen of the Purple Heron (A. purpurea, Linn.), in Norwich Museum,
VERTEBRATA OCCURRING ABOUT EUSTON.
was taken alive in Parade Road, Kirkley, on 9 October 1907 (Tr. Norf. Nat. Soc. viii, p. 766).]+ Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus, Bail.).*—A flock of over a hundred seen on 19 September 1913 ; saw one on the river on 8 March 1929 : no doubt of species. [Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis, Linn.).—An introduced species. Seen on river at Fakenham on 23 February 1907, four pairs on 15 February 1910, and twenty specimens on 19 November 1913 ; nested at Euston in 1912. None have appeared later ; they probably came from Shadwell, over the Norfolk border.] Whooper Swan (Cygnus musicus, Bech.).*—Saw four specimens on the River Blackbourn at Fakenham, three in füll plumage, on 21 March 1929. Mute Swan (C. olor, Gmel.).—One or two pairs on the river. Ruddy Sheld-Duck (Tadoma casarca, Linn.).*—Seen on 15 March 1903 and one or two springs subseque ntly, b u t none of late years. Probably they came from Elveden. Also recorded from Euston Park on 23 March 1903 b y E. T. Daubeny (Nature Notes, 1903). Wild Duck (Anas boscas, Linn.).—Very numerous ; nested at Euston from 1899 to 1928 at six feet from the ground m a hollow elm-tree, since fallen. [One was sitting on nest in hollow alder-tree a foot above ground in Brandeston marshes on 26 April 1929.—Ed.] Gadwell (A. strepera, Linn.).—Very numerous in Winter of 1903, when a few pairs stayed to nest : not common now. Shoveller (Spatula clypeata, Linn.).—One or two pairs annually. Pintail (Dafila acuta, Linn.).*—One shot at Euston m January 1893 ; seen singly on 5 November 1904, 3 J a n u a r y 1905, 21 J a n u a r y and 6 March 1914, and 21 February 1930. Teal (Nettion crecca, Linn.).—Numerous. Garganey (iQuerquedula circia, Linn.).*—One pair seen on 23 May 1898 : none since. Wigeon (Mareca Penelope, Linn.).*—A solitary bird on the river, 19 March 1899; a flock of about thirty seen at Euston on 10 December 1926. Pochard (Fuligula ferina, Linn.).*—Noticed on 20 January 1892, 22 February 1901, 23 J a n u a r y 1914 and a very t O n 2 J u l y 1905 I s a w a W h i t e S t o r k [Ciconia alba, Bech.] on B r e y d o n in t h e e a r l y morning, n o t f a r f r o m m y h o u s e - b o a t ; i t was v e r y restless a n d q u i c k l y d i s a p p e a r e d " (Trans. Norf. N a t . Soc. v m , p. 318) — T h e h e a d a n d t h r e e - q u a r t e r s of t h e skin of a B l a c k S t o r k [C. nigra, L i n n . ] were f o u n d floating u p o n B r e y d o n W a t e r on 2 J u l y 1902 ( h b . c i t . v u p . 5 6 9 ) . — D ü r i n g a b n o r m a l h e a t , w i t h s o u t h wind, four specimens of t h e Olossy i w s [Plegadis falcinellus, L i n n . ] were observed on B r e y d o n W a t e r b y both Y o u n g a n d P a t t e r s o n of Y a r m o u t h , on 3 S e p t e m b e r 1906 (I.e. v m , p. 4 6 7 ) ; one o t h e r w a s killed in B r e y d o n m a r s h e s on 3 October 1920 (I.e. xi, p. 590). —All t h r e e records o m i t t e d f r o m Suff. Vict. H i s t . — E d .
172
VERTEBRATA OCCURRING ABOUT EUSTON.
light-coloured bird on 8 March, 1903. [Thirteen, of which nine were shot, occurred on Breydon Water, 4 September 1906 (Zool. 1906, 394).] Tufted Duck (Fuligula cristata, Leach.).—An increasing species since 1927. Goldeneye (Clangula glaucium, Linn.).*—A Single bird seen on 12 January 1924. Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus, Linn.).—Very common. Large flocks in Euston pleasure-grounds, feeding on beech-mast, in 1929-30; a pair, feeding young birds, on Fakenham rectory lawn in December 1898. Many arrive from the north in autumn. [Nested in Ramsholt church-tower about 1885 (Doughty) ; many had very badly polluted inside of Winston church-tower in 1928 (Morley).] Stock Dove (C. csnas, Linn.).—Common, but less so than the last species. Turtle Dove (Turtur communis, Sei).—Common ; arrives in mid-May : an early arrival was 6 May 1898. I saw large numbers, on migration, at Sphacteria off west coast of Greece in April 1906. Pallas Sand-Grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus, Pall.).*—Saw a flock of about fifty behind the Triangle Plantation in Bamham on 11 September 1888 : the keeper said they nested, but there was no proof of it. (Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix, Linn.).*—An introduced species.t Saw a grey hen at the Triangle in Euston on 6 December 1893; a cock was shot the same year in Euston Park. Probably strays from Croxton in Norfolk, where the species was introduced by W. D. Mackenzie. Mr. G. D. Turner of Newbourn Hall saw a pair of Virginian Quail (Ortyx Virginianus, Linn.), probably from Elveden, at Bamham on 22 May 1893.] Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus, Linn.).—Very common, and all here are wild birds ; nested in a tree in Taylors-grove in Fakenham, May 1891 ; one hen hatched eggs at Fakenham rectory as late as 28 August 1907 ; a cock-bird, not hen in cock's plumage, hatched and reared a brood at Gravelhill-plantation in Bamham, 1898. Partridge (Perdix cinerea, Lath.).—Still plentiful, in spite of bad seasons and disease ; but the bags are nothing like those in years past. f C e r t a i n l y t h e R e d grouse (Lagopus Scoticus, L a t h . ) , a n exclusively B r i t i s h bird, should n o w b e recorded as Suffolcian ; a specimen w a s shot b y one of t h e S a w b r i d g e s on H i n d e r l c a y F e n d u r i n g 1905, t h o u g h no d o u b t it was a stray from Elveden.
VERTEBRATA OCCURRING ABOUT EUSTON.
173
Red-legged Partridge (Caccabis rufa, Linn.).—More numerous at Bamham than elsewhere in the district, because it is a bird of the heaths. Quail (Coturnix communis, Bon.).—Said to have nested at Bamham ; but doubtful. Land Rail (Crex pratensis, Bech.).*—Have not heard once since 1899. Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus, Linn.).—Dykes and river at Fakenham : seen on 15 December 1905, 28 January 1929, and other times during winters. Nests in Thelnetham fens. Moor Hen (Gallinula chloropus, Linn.).—Very numerous ; suffers in severe winters. [Abundant at Bentley, Foxhall and all over High Suffolk ; nest on my moat at Monks' Soham, and in snow come to house-door for food.—Ed.] Coot (Fulica atra, Linn.).—One or two pairs annually, between Fakenham and Euston ; saw seventeen specimens on the river on 10 January 1917. Great Bustard (Otis tarda, Linn.).—The seventh Duke of Grafton told me that his mother was wont to take out riding-parties to the Bamham heaths to see these birds ; but he doubted whether they ever saw any. Introduced from Spain by Lord Iveagh at Elveden : one was seen on glebe at Fakenham on 20 September 1900; these birds nested at Elveden in 1902, but the eggs were infertile. Stone Curlew (Cßdicnemus scolopax, Gmel.).—Holding its own : saw a flock of a hundred and fifty or two hundred on Troston Heath on 10 October 1914. Generally arrives in March, but heard also on 11 December 1900, 15 January 1901, and both 22 and 26 February 1906. Ringed Plover (TEgialitis hiaticula, Linn.).—Has decreased, though still nesting at Bamham ; arrives towards end of February and in early March, but I saw a pair at Euston on 29 July, 1906. [Icklingham Plains (Doughty).] Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis, Linn.).*—Small flocks, generally on spring migration ; but also seen on 7 December 1900, 31 August 1906, 13 November 1909, and 12-13 March 1928. Lapwing (Vanellus vulgaris, Bech.).—Not as numerous as formerly, but now again increasing ; birds nesting here leave in autumn. [Abundant at Monks' Soham ; nests common at Palmers Heath in Brandon and the Black Ditches on Risby Heath.—Ed.] 2
174
VERTEBRATA OCCURRING ABOUT EUSTON.
Oyster-catcher (Hcematopus ostralegus, Linn.).*—Three are said to have been seen by the river at Euston on 18 September 1904 : but doubtful.t Woodcock (Scolopax rusticula, Linn.).—Nests in Fakenham Wood, young birds seen in May 1903 ; largest number killed there is thirty-one, on 11 December 1908. Common Snipe (Gallinago calestis, Fren.).—Nesting birds arrive in March and leave about mid-August, to be replaced by migrants from the north. [Nests Brandeston.—Ed.] Jack Snipe (G. gallinula, Linn.).*—Rare.] Green Sandpiper (Totanus ochropus, Linn.).*—Seen, almost always a single bird, from time to time, generally near the river : 20 vi 1905, 1 viii 06, 18 ii 07, 11 x 12, 10 vii and 26 viii 13, 4 viii 27 and 16 xi 1928, but none later. Redshank (T. calidris, Linn.).—Began to nest at Fakenham in 1904, and has done so annually since ; is increasing and has spread up the river towards Sapiston ; arrives in early March, but on 21 February 1919 and 22 February 1928, and leaves about mid-July. Common Sandpiper (T. hypoleucus, Linn.).*—A spring, 12 March 1926, and autumn migrant ; most frequently seen in August, last on 20 August 1929. Common Curlew (Numenius arquata, Linn.).*—Rare : seen on 6 November 1909 and 19 September 1907. Black Tern (Hydrochelidon nigra, Linn.).*—One hawking over the river opposite Euston Hall all day long, on 7 May 1925. Common Tern (Sterna fluviatilis, Nau.).*—Saw eleven fishing in the Blackbourn River on 22 May 1898. Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus, Linn.).—Seen frequently ; nested, five young birds, on the island at Euston in May 1913. ' Hundreds between Fakenham and Thetford in winter of 1929, when many died of starvation. [The solitary Larus melanocephalus, Natt., recorded from Suffolk in Vict. Hist., is in coli. R. Chase of Birmingham, who himself observed a second example on Breydon Water on 16 May 1909 (Trans. Norf. Nat. Soc. ix, p. 82).] t A v o c e t (Recurvirostra avocetta, L i n n . ) . — O n e specimen, a p p a r e n t l y a m a l e was killed " near Aldeburgh, 1 J a n u a r y 1 9 0 4 " (Trans. Norf. N a t . S o c vii, p. 7 2 9 ) . — A t 7 . 3 0 p.m. on 13 J u n e 1 9 0 5 " a flock of m n e was on B r e y d o n W a t e r " (with h a b i t s , lib. cit. viii, p. 317 ; cp. Zool. 1906, p. 1 2 9 ) . — T h r e e on B r e y d o n W a t e r , a b o u t 10 August 1 9 0 9 (Tr. Norf, ix, p. 8 4 ) . — T w o seen on B r e y d o n W a t e r in J u n e 1 9 2 0 (I.e. xi, p. 591). G r e y P h a l a r o p e (Phalaropus fulicarius, L i n n . ) . — O n e s h o t on B r e y d o n W a t e r during O c t o b e r 1 9 0 5 (I.e. viii, p. 320). 1 One K n o t (Tringa canutus, Linn.) was killed in a partridge-drive near E y e on 31 J a n u a r y 1914 ( W . H . T u c k , T r a n s . Norf. N a t . Soc. ix, p. 8 3 1 ) .
VERTEBRATA OCCURRING ABOUT EUSTON.
175
Common Gull (L. canus, Linn.).*—Not common ; seen on 8 March 1907 and, passing over, on both 4 February 1917 and 13 February 1919. Herring Gull (L. argentatus, Gmel.).*—One immature shot at Fakenham on 22 November 1893 ; adults seen passing over on 5 March 1907 and 7 February 1917.t Little Auk (.Mergulus alle, Linn.).*—One found alive at Fakenham on 18 September 1895 : many were picked up in the district at that time. [One dead in ditch at Dedham in Essex in January 1930, Cattawade, Hollesley and Orford (Frank Woolnough) ; Aldeburgh (G. T. Rope) ; one, moribund, at Hawkedon on 1 Jan. 1930 (Burreil).] Puffin (Fratercula arctica, Linn.).*—One picked up dead at Fakenham on 12 November 1921, after a northerly gale on 6th. Red-throated Diver (Colymbus septentrionalis, Linn.).*—One on the Blackbourn River at Euston for about three weeks in January 1911. Little Grebe (Podicipes fluviatilis, Tun.).*—On the iiver, and has nested on ponds, since 1898. X Manx Shearwater (.Puffinis Anglorum, Tem.).*—One specimen was found alive at Fakenham on 18 September 1896. v.
MAMMALIA—Quadrupeds.
Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus, Linn.).—Not very common ; found one dead in Fakenham rectory garden on 2 September 1905. Great Bat (.Pipistrellus noctula, Sch.).—Seen Aying at considerable height over the meadows on most summer evenings. Pipistrelle (P. pipistrellus, Sch.).—Common. Hedgehog (Erinaceus Europceus, Linn.).—Common : a whole family found under a box bush in Fakenham rectory grounds. Mole (Talpa Europcea, Linn.).—Very common. Lillingston told me long ago that cream-coloured specimens were not uncommon in the field near the river next Mill Leys, and he gave me a skin. Common Shrew (Sorex araneus, Linn.). t Our sole inland record of the Great S k u a (Megalestris catarrhactes, Linn.) is a specimen f o r t y miles from the coast, near Ixworth, in J a n u a r y 1915, during war-time (W. H . T u c k , T r a n s . Norf. Nat. Soc. x, p. 178). X A L e a c h ' s Petrel (Oceanodroma leuoorrhoa, Vie.) was shot a t W e t h e r ingsett on 1 October 1910, and is now in possession of Mrs. A. W . Darwin at L i t t l e Roundwood in Ipswich —Podicipes cristatus, Linn., now breeds freely a t F r i t t o n L a k e (Doughty).
176
VERTEBRATA OCCURRING ABOUT EUSTON.
Fox (Vulpes vulgaris, Bell).—There used to be one or two in Fakenham Wood, but not now, and the hounds never come ; I saw one cross Butt Lane and go into Broom-hill on 24 May 1929. Pine Marten (Mustela martes, Linn.).—Extinct. Polecat (M. putorius, Linn.).—Extinct: cf. Vict. Hist. 221. Stoat (Putorius ermineus, Linn.).—Common : my dog killed one along the glebe hedge, after a great hunt, on 23 December 1927. Weasel (P. nivalis, Linn.).—Common. Badger (Meies taxus, Bell).—Extinct: had an earth in the pit at the corner of Taylors Grove, but that was very long ago. One, trapped at Elveden in January 1903, must have travelled a long way. [A male was taken in a heath rabbittrap at Elveden during Mid-summer 1903 (Trans. Norf. Nat. Soc. viii, p. 387).] Otter (Lutra vulgaris, Bell).—Up and down tbe Blackbourn River : the otter-hounds killed three below Euston in August, and one at Decoy-carr in September, 1904 ; one at Burnt-hall, weighing 26 lbs., in April 1905 ; and one at Jockey Boys, weighing 28 lbs., in August 1907 : but it is poor sport in a shallow and sluggish river, such as this one. [A " large Otter was killed at Burgh Castle on 5 March 1900 " (Trans. Norf. Nat. Soc. vii, p. 71) ; a male was killed near Thetford Nunnery on 19 January 1900, and a female on 24 October 1903 ; another was shot at Santon Downham on 15 November 1903 (I.e. viii, p. 387) .]t Squirrel (Sciurus leueorus, Kerr.).—Formerly fairly plentiful, now very scarce : I cannot account for the decrease. No Grey Squirrels here. Brown Rat (Mus decumanus, Pall.).—Far too numerous and the the most destruetive Mammal we have, as regards both corn and game-birds' eggs : the keepers' annual poisoning has little effect. Common Mouse (Mus Musculus). f A fully-grown Lesser R o r q u a l (Balcsnoptera rostrata, F a b . ) , s o m e t h i r t y f e e t in length, c a m e f r o m t h e sea i n t o Y a r m o u t h h a r b o u r a n d b r o k e i t s b e a k u p o n t h e q u a y - h e a d , before being h a r a s s e d t o d e a t h b y b o a t m e n , in 1890. A n o t h e r carcase w a s w a s h e d ashore a t L o w e s t o f t on 5 O c t o b e r 1911 ; a n d a t h i r d , a b o u t t h e s a m e period, a t Sizewell (Trans. Norf. N a t . Soc. ix, p . 304). On 10 April 1918 a d e a d C o m m o n R o r q u a l (Baltznoptera musculus, Linn.), s e v e n t y f e e t in l e n g t h w i t h flippers f e e t long a n d t h e p l a t e s of b a l e e n w h i t e a n d slate-coloured, was s t r a n d e d a t Shingle-street in H o l l e s l e y — n o t " A l l e r t o n , " as r e c o r d e d — i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h a t r e p o r t e d slightly earlier t o h a v e c o m e a s h o r e a t A l d e b u r g h a n d been w a s h e d off. P r o b a b l y slain b y t o r p e d o - d e s t r o y e r (I.e. 1919, p. 505). P o r p o i s e s (Phoctzna communis, Cuv.) are f r e q u e n t l y o b s e r v e d off Gorleston, L o w e s t o f t , S o u t h w o l d , B a w d s e y : a n d a r e a l w a y s c o m m o n along o u r c o a s t (I.e. ix, p. 307).
PINE SAWFLY AND ITS PARASITES
177
Long-tailed Mouse (M. sylvaticus, Linn.).—Common and damages bulbs. [Harvest Mouse (M. minutus, Pall.), though not observed, is nearly sure to occur. It was (Trans. Norf. Nat. Soc. ix, p. 455) plentiful in eastern Suffolk during 1911.] Water Vole (Microtus amphibius, Linn.).—Common. Field Vole (M. agrestis, Linn.).—Common : they have been caught inside Fakenham rectory. Bank Vole (Evotomys glareolus, Sch.).—Have seen them uncommonly in the bank between Fakenham rectory grounds and the Drygrounds : 28 June 1899, Oct. 1919, etc. Common Hare (Lepus Europaus, Pall.).—Decreased greatly about 1924 ; but recovered after the Duke took to coursing, and very numerous during 1928-30 : two hundred and seventeen killed between Fakenham and West-farm in Bamham on 4 February 1930. Rabbit (L. cuniculus, Linn.).—Very numerous formerly ; but they have been much killed off of late years, a mistake because a great deal of the land, especially in Euston Park, is fit for nothing eise. Increasing again in 1930, when nearly six hundred were killed in the first time over Hercles, a large field between Fakenham and Euston.
ON A PINE SAWFLY (Diprion sertifer, AND ITS PARASITES. BY
JOHN
C.
ROBBINS,
Fourc.)
F.E.S.
THE larvae of the rufous Pine Sawfly, D. sertifer (Lophyrus rufus, Latr.), appeared during 1926 to 1928 in large numbers on young plantations of Pines (Pinns sylvestris, L.) belonging to the Forestry Commission at Tangham near Woodbridge ; and a considerable amount of money was spent upon crushing them by hand, as the infestation was sufficiently severe to cause some alarm. Fortunately a disease arose, which killed many of the larvae before they became fully grown, making them to turn yellow, then blackish, and finally to shrivel and adhere to the pine-needles ; this disease appeared to reduce the numbers of the pest considerably. Upon visiting Tangham on 20 May 1929 I could find only four trees whereon larvae were feeding ; but later they became fairly numerous, although less abundant than the previous year. In the following month Mr. C. Hankins, the Forester there, to whom I am indebted for much help, sent me several hundred larvae, which I reared in confinement. I went again to Tangham on 10 May 1930 and found more young larvae