THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 117 



mud under the shelter of Burgh marsh, a Httle 

 below Sandsheld, and was shot as he rose. The 

 crimson irides of the gasping bird, as the poor 

 fellow breathed his last, were very beautiful, and 

 so was the rich salmon-colour of his breast, which 

 fades in skins. This bird only weighed 2 lbs. d^-ozs., 

 and, though in magnificent plumage, was rather a 

 small specimen. 



Goosanders occasionally visit the lakes of Cum- 

 berland. Mr. Raine, the head keeper at Edenhall, 

 informs us that a party of Goosanders in the dress 

 of the "Dun Diver" have frequented the large pond 

 at Edenhall for the last twenty winters, though 

 drakes in the black and white or cream plumage 

 have only occurred in three instances in his ex- 

 perience. It was from the scarcity of adult drakes 

 that Dr. Heysham failed to satisfy himself that 

 the Dun Diver was identical with the Goosander ; 

 for though he dissected several immature males, he 

 only obtained a single adult male. Dr. Heysham 

 adds that the largest of the Goosanders he examined 

 weighed little more than 3 lbs., and that some birds 

 weighed under 2 lbs. 



The following passage is a brief extract from 

 Macpherson's note-book : — " February 4th, 1885. 

 Walked out to Thurstanfield lough, which I reached 

 just as day was breaking. Observed a pair of 

 Shovellers, and a large congregation of Wigeon. 

 A big squad of Wild Duck were resting under the 

 shelter of the north bank. A pair of Goosanders 

 monopolised my attention. The female was generally 

 to be seen in the centre of the lough, but the male 



