65 
alarmed, and, with that view, no gun was ever permitted to be 
fired near the pool, which is in an exposed situation, a public 
path running close by. 
As the time approached at which in former years the 
Garganeys had taken their departure, it became a subject of 
speculation whether the drake would take himself off,—but 
that the duck would go too was regarded as impossible, seeing 
that she was pinioned, and that the piece of water is entirely 
enclosed with wire netting. But nature and instinct proved 
too powerful for all hindrances and allurements, and on the 
12th of the month both birds were missing, and have not 
since been seen. How the male enticed the female away is a 
mystery: it may be that she was not sufficiently pinioned, and 
could use her wings—but neither were ever seen to fly. Even 
the drake on his arrival, though at first he would conceal 
himself under the over-hanging bushes, was never seen to fly. 
T should fear that the duck, being unable to accompany her 
partner in his migration, will ultimately fall a victim to vermin. 
The First Field Meeting of the Club for the season was held 
on Tuesday, 17th May, at 
CIRENCESTER, 
where the recent excavations in connection with the drainage 
and water supply of the town have opened up many new 
sources of interest. It is indeed scarcely possible to move 
ground in the neighbourhood of this great Roman centre 
without bringing to light some vestiges of the long-continued 
occupation of the site by the soldiers and citizens of that 
nation; and these, as they are unearthed, find a fitting resting- 
place in the noble museum presented to the town by the late 
Lord Baruursr. To this point the steps of the visitors were 
first directed, where the large recent additions, in the form of 
Roman pottery and instruments of bronze and iron were very 
noticeable. Of these Mr. Bravenper has furnished a list, 
F 
