94, SMEW, 
three adult males were killed at one shot on the Isis, near 
the seat of the famous University, the foundation of the 
Great Alfred. 
The Hon. T. L. Powys has met with the Smew on the 
River Nene, in Northants, near Stoke Doyle, on the 5th. of 
January, 1850. In January, 1849, as Arthur S. H. Lowe, 
Hsq., of Highfield House, near Nottingham, has written me 
word, several were seen near there, and Sar were shot: only 
three had been known in the preceding thirty years. Three 
or four, G. Grantham, Esq. mentions to me as having been 
procured near Lewes, on the Sussex coast, one of them in 
February, 1855, between Cuckmere Haven and Seaford, In 
Hertfordshire one was shot near Watford. In Cambridge- 
shire the Smew has occurred near Ely on the 7th. of December, 
1849. In Surrey, near Godalming. 
In Cornwall this species is rare, and only occurs in severe 
winters. In Norfolk young birds are not uncommon near 
Yarmouth in hard winters: the adult bird is more rare. 
Specimens have also occurred at Gwyllyn Vase and Swanpool, 
near Falmouth—one on the 29th. of January, 1848. In the 
county of Northumberland Bewick mentions three females 
killed on the Tyne at one shot, in January, 1820, after a 
severe frost. In Cambridgeshire, Willughby ‘mentions having 
had one from Cambridge, and the Rev. Dr. Thackeray has 
another, bought in the market there, in April, 1825. 
The Smew has been observed in Sanday, Orkney, and is 
believed to breed in that part. 
In Ireland it is an occasional winter visitant. It is a Scottish 
species likewise in the same manner. 
They come to us in winter. ‘Their movements are southwards 
in the autumn, and northwards in the spring. 
They are shy and eareful birds, and take wing with great 
readiness when apprehensive of danger. One has been kept 
on the water in St. James’ Park, London. 
They feed on small fish, crustacea, and water-insects. 
They fly quickly, and are excellent divers, but walk in a 
laboured manner. 
The nest of the Smew is made of dry grass, and lined with 
the down of the bird herself. It is placed on the ground, upon 
the banks of lakes and rivers, not far from the Se or in 
a hollow in a tree. 
The eggs are said to be eight or ten, or from that to fourteen 
in number, and of a yellowish white colour. 
