SLAPTON LEY. xxv 



for the lovers of Angling, and to which spot Anglers flock from 

 all parts of England. The fishing and wild-fowl are strictly 

 preserved, and all information respecting the same may be 

 obtained from the proprietor of the Slapton Sands Hotel, which 

 is situate on the sands. 



Slapton Ley has preserved its natural features intact since 

 Mr. Laskey visited it in 1796. He writes that: "This sheet of 

 water occupies some hundreds of acres, and has no visible outlet, 

 draining itself through the sand of the beach into the sea, which 

 is scarcely distant a stone's throw. It is well stored with the 

 2:>erca fiiwiatilis, 'perch, lucius eso,c, pike, cyprimis rutilus, roach, 

 and immense quantities of the anguilla, or eel, and the fulici, bald 

 Coot, in abundance, finding here a safe breeding-place among the 

 vast quantities (>f the arundo or reed, here called Sea-reeds. In 

 winter every kind of wild-fowl is to be found on its surface in the 

 greatest plenty " (Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 66. part I. p. 276). 



Another notice of Slapton Ley, written by "H.V. D," and 

 &,ccompanied by an outline of the lake will be found in the 

 Magazine of Natural History, vol. III. p. 396. Sir Lydstone 

 Newman, Bart., has kindly furnished me with a list of 4-i species 

 of Birds, all represented in his collection by specimens shot at 

 Slapton Ley. This catalogue includes the Cormorant, Shag, 

 Gannet, Heron, Bittern, Little Bittern, Bean Goose, White- 

 fronted Goose, Brent Goose, Whooper Swan, Sheldrake, Wild 

 Duck, Gadwall, Shoveller, Pintail, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, 

 Ferruginous Duck, Tufted, Scaup, Golden-eye, Long-tailed Duck, 

 Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Smew, Spotted Crake, Water 

 Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring 

 Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull 

 Kittiwake, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Red- 

 throated Diver, Great-crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, 

 Sclavonian, Eared and Little Grebes. 



