BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT. 823 
Frequently nested on the banks of the Mersey, between 
Stanlow and Ince, prior to 1873; it does not breed in this 
locality now, but is very common in the Mersey in autumn and 
winter. In 1893 a young bird was taken which was unable 
to fly [R.N.] 
Wales: an interesting account of the breeding of this and 
other species near. the Point of Air, is given in the Liverpool 
Naturalisis’ Journal (August, 1866, p. 35), by the late Mr. H. 
Ecroyp SmitH; and Sim Pyers Mostyn tells me that many 
pairs still breed annually on his rabbit warren there. 
On the Conway (July 2nd, 1893), Mr. ArTHUR Moore saw 
an old bird and three young ones, and writes: ‘‘there is almost 
always a small flock sitting on the rocks, at high tide, near the 
lighthouse, on the Great Orme.” 
*Tadorna casarca. Ruppy SHELD-DUCK. 
A specimen killed by a dog near Chester (I believe in a pit 
at Puddington), in March, 1887, is now in the Grosvenor 
Museum. It may have been an escaped bird. 
* [Aix sponsa. Summer Duck. 
A beautiful specimen was shot near Flint, in January, 1875, 
and presented by Mr. L. Henry to the Museum Collection. 
No doubt an escape from confinement. (Several were at one 
time kept at Talacre.) 
There is a female specimen in the collection of Mr. Kemp, 
which was shot by him at Burton [A.O.W.] ] 
* Anas boscas. MAttarp. 
‘‘Generally abundant in winter. A few nest in Wirral.” 
(Br. p. 14.) It seems much commoner on the Mersey in winter 
than on the Dee, and breeds occasionally at Ince [R.N.] 
Breeds on the Eaton Estate [H.G.] At Edge Hall a pair or 
two generally breed in the trees, but I never look for their 
~ nests [C.W.D.] Breeds at Combermere |Lorp C.]; near 
Wrexham [A.D.|; Nant-y-ffrith [R.H.V.K.]; Llandyrnog [J.B.]; 
Maesmor [W.].K.]; Rag [C. H.W.]; Llanderfel [T.R.]; Aber- 
pee [J.H.,] &c. 
Anas strepera. GADWALL. 
'“ Has been shot some years ago on the Dee.” (Br. p. 14.) 
~ Mr. ConGreve, Burton, has a specimen in his collection, 
labelled March 13th, 1845; possibly the one BrocKHOLES 
refers to. 
** Killed at peupercs Marr, Mostyn” [F.A.] (Cell. ‘Sir PYERs 
Mostyn ) 
