46 Transacl.ions. 



They do not usutally leave their breeding ground in the far north 

 until tliey ai'e compelled to do so by sti'ess of weather. I lately 

 received a si^ecimen of the shoveller duck — tSpatula Clyj^eata — 

 which is by no means common in this district. The male bird of 

 the shoveller is very beautiful. I ha^e thought it strange that 

 all the specimens I have had killed in the district have been 

 females. About a month ago, I had a barndoor fowl brought me 

 which had every appearance of a good-sized domestic cock in full 

 plumage, with large spurs — as large, indeed, as is commonly seen 

 upon a large game cock. The lady that brought it assured me 

 that it was a hen, and a good layer of eggs until it assumed the 

 male dress, when it stopped laying. I have seen many instances 

 of the hen taking the plumage of the cock, both among pheasants 

 and black game ; but never before one that came so completely 

 up to the mark as this one. Last week, I had a fine specimen 

 sent me of a pure white partridge. I have before had specimens 

 of the partridge of a dun colour, but never one anything like so 

 white as this one. At the same time I received a fine specimen 

 of the grey or silver plover — Squatarola helvetica— vfhich. seems 

 to be scarce in this district, as it is the second one I have ever 

 had in all my time. It is much about the same size as the golden 

 plover, but diflfers in having a very small hind toe, which in the 

 golden is altogether awanting. In the spring it assumes quite a 

 difierent dress from what it has in winter, but it is a very hand- 

 some bird in whatever dress it may appear. This morning I had 

 a fine male blackbird brought me, with a pure white head and 

 neck. I have had specimens mottled all over, black and white, 

 also with white head and tail — all the rest black. Last month 

 I had a good specimen sent me of the marten cat, the only one I 

 have ever had from this district. It is somewhat longer and more 

 slender than the pole cat, and has not the ofiensive smell of the 

 latter. The pole cat is now extinct in this quarter, the trapping 

 of rabbits, upon which it naturally preys, having been the means 

 of killing it out, as it got into traps that were not intended for 

 it. The marten cat is not uncommon in the pine forests of the 

 north, but this is the only one I have ever had in the flesh. 

 There seems to be no end of hawks, owls, and squirrels, which 

 are coming in more plentiful than ever. 



