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Semi-wild birds of the tame species or Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), 

 that have escaped from confinement on ornamental waters, are 

 frequently met with in the estuary. Last winter one was shot ; 

 and on August 1st this year (1886) eighteen put in an appearance, 

 and on the following day eight or ten were shot for wild birds ; a 

 few of the remainder were observed about for several days ; three 

 were seen by a friend (some distance inland), who supposed them 

 to be wild birds from their strong, steady flight. Bewick's Swan 

 ( Cygnus bewicki) has been shot in the estuary on two or three 

 occasions. Snow Buntings (Plectrophanes nivalis) frequent the 

 margin of the river in winter, arriving about the beginning of 

 November, and departing again early in the spring. They may 

 be seen in vast flocks or clouds, sometimes associated with Larks 

 and other small birds ; in severe weather feeding on the stubbles 

 — they eat grain and other seeds, and always appear to be in 

 good condition. I have examined them at all times during their 

 stay here, and never saw one in bad condition ; they are exceed- 

 ingly fat when they arrive in November. I witnessed their 

 arrival on a cold and stormy day the 3rd of November at Tod 

 Point, last year. They appeared to be somewhat exhausted, but 

 heading inland in great numbers ; they apparently did not wait 

 long to rest. Larks (Alauda arvensis) swarm at times in the 

 winter months by the margin of the river ; and vast numbers of 

 Brown Linnets (Linota cannabina) and Bedpoles (Linota rufescens) 

 frequent some patches of Sea Lavender (Statice limonium) on the 

 north side of the river, feeding on the seeds. Starlings (Stumus 

 vulgaris) and Lapwings ( Yanellus vulgaris) , associated with 

 Golden Plovers (Charadrius pluvialis), congregate in immense 

 flocks on the marshes ; and in very severe winter weather Wood 

 Pigeons (Columba palumbus) come down to feed after the receding 

 tide. Reed Buntings (Emberiza schceniclus) frequent the reeds 

 and long grass by the sides of the saltwater ditches, and breed 

 there ; and Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis) are abundant all the 

 year. Kingfishers {Alcedo ispida) are frequently met with by the 

 river-side, and in the small tributaries, but are sadly persecuted 

 by gunners, their skins being readily purchased by the dealers 

 for half-a-crown each. Wheatears (Saxicola cetianthe) are 

 common on the river-banks during the summer months, and 

 nest there ; their numbers are greatly increased during the 

 autumn months when migrating — on August 22nd last year the 

 banks literally swarmed with them. This is one of the earliest 

 of the migrants to arrive with us, generally appearing about 

 March 29th or 30th, and I have seen it so late as October 9th. 



