190 HKITISIi BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



somewhat similar observation. In INIaV; 1908, the late John 

 Cottney discovered an exposed nest among the herbage on 

 one of the maritime islands of co. DoMn. This nest con- 

 tained nine eggs of the Sheld-Duck [Tadorna tadorna), and 

 two eggs of the Red-breasted IMerganser [Mergiis serrator). 

 It was copiously lined with doMn, all of which was un- 

 doubtedly Sheld-Duch's. A photograph of this nest is in 

 my possession. Nevin H. Foster. 



NESTING OF TEAL IN SURREY. 

 With regard to Mr. Bunyard's observations in British 

 Birds {supra, p. 158) on the nesting of the Common Teal 

 {Anafi c. crecca) in Surrey, I am i-ather inclined to think that 

 it is not so rare as a nesting species in that coimty as is 

 generally sujiposed. I think that very probably there are 

 a few localities all through Surrey and the adjoining counties 

 where Teal breed. Personally, I know of one little moor, 

 in Surrej^ or rather half moor and half marsh, where at 

 least five pairs, possibly more, breed annually. In fact, they 

 remain there the whole year round. I may mention that 

 some of the nests are placed in long heather, and some ai-e 

 amongst coarse grass, short heather, etc. 



G. K. Baynes. 



COLOUR OF IRIDES OF TUFTED DUCKLINGS. 



In Mr. A. Chapman's paper on Spring notes on the Borders 

 {supra, p. 114), the j'Oung in do\\-n of the Tufted Duck 

 (Nyrocafuligula) are described as " darkish with pale yellow 

 eyes." The late Lord Lilford in his Notes on the Birds of 

 Northamptonshire, Vol. II., p. 194, described the recently 

 hatched young as covered with smoky coloured dowii and 

 having " brilliant golden yellow irides." 



As this differed from my own recollection of the appearance 

 of the young, Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo, on being a])})ealed 

 to by me, kindly furnished me with, the following particulars, 

 and as he sees young in scores every year and has done so 

 for thirty-five years past, it seems impossible for there to 

 be any mistake in the matter. Mr. Meade-^A'aldo himself 

 describes the doA\Tiy young as " dark bro^Mi a\ ith dark eyes." 

 A number were reared in the Zoological Gardens this sununer. 

 and both Mr. Seth-Smith and Macdonald, the keeper who 

 reared them, describe the irides as dark. This is also confiimed 

 by Mr. W. H. St. Quintin's keepers, who describe the colour 

 as " very dark brown " and " darkish hazel." I may add 

 that Pastor Kleinschmidt figures the young in the Neuer 



