46 Transactions. 
They do not usually leave their breeding ground in the far north 
until they are compelled to do so by stress of weather. I lately 
received a specimen of the shoveller duck—Spatula Clypeata— 
which is by no means common in this district. The male bird of 
the shoveller is very beautiful. I have 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—which seems 
to be scarce in this district, as it is the second one I have ever 
had in all my time. Itis much about the same size as the golden 
plover, but differs in having a very small hind toe, which in the 
golden is altogether awanting. In the spring it assumes quite a 
different 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 offensive 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. 
