64 
Some Notes on the Occurrence at Elmore of the Garganey Teal 
( Querquedula circia.” Linn.) 
At the meeting of the Cotteswold Club at Cirencester, last 
year, it was proposed by Mr. H. J. Exwes that with a view to 
publication by the Club, a list of the Birds of the County 
should be supplied to him, to which he invited contributions. 
With this purpose I offer the following observations on the 
occurrence in three several years of the above-named rather 
rare duck. . 
The latest authorities, YarRELx, in his “ British Birds,” and 
Dresser, in his ‘“ Birds of Europe,” regard this bird as one of 
very occasional occurrence in this country. YARRELL says, 
“though I have seen specimens in October, it more frequently 
makes its appearance in the spring, and then only in compara- 
tively small numbers; these birds are then on their way south.” 
Dresser notes it as rare in the west of England, and not much 
more common in the southern counties. 
In the year 1879, on the 17th of March, a Garganey male and 
three females made their appearance on a pool at Elmore, on 
which are kept water-fowl of different kinds. They soon made 
themselves at home, and became quite tame and fearless, 
coming to feed with the rest. They remained some little time, 
going and returning at intervals, but in less than a month they 
disappeared, and returned no more. In 1880 none made their 
appearance; but on the 17th of April of last year a pair of 
Garganeys arrived on the pool. They remained but ten days, 
and then went away. 
_In the summer of last year I purchased a pair of Garganeys, 
domesticated birds, with the carpal joint of the wing removed. 
The male was shortly afterwards killed by a savage swan. In 
the month of November last the duck was joined by a strange 
drake, who associated with her, and mixed with the rest of the 
water-fowl, coming regularly to be fed, and showing no sign of 
distrust or timidity. In hopes that the drake might become 
a permanent resident, care was taken that he should not be 
