264 BIRDS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 



to see where it was going, unless it had been frightened by something. 

 The Coot and the Grey Phalarope, are the only members of the lobe- 

 footed kind we have. They have peculiar half-webbed feet. The 

 Moorhen has no web, and consequently does not get along very well in 

 the water, but when in danger takes to flight or dives. This brings us 

 to our last order, which embraces the sea birds, and although many of 

 them, I have no doubt, are to be seen on the Severn, yet I have never had 

 the opportunity of noting them. 



Order 5. — Natatores or Swimmers. — First in this large order come 

 the Geese. Large flocks of Geese fly over during winter to feed on the 

 young corn on the top of the hills, and where, notwithstanding all the 

 vigilance of the old ganders, many are shot. The Grey Lag Goose, the 

 original of our domestic goose, I know for certain has bean shot, and I 

 have no doubt many others are to be obtained with a suitable weapon by 

 careful watching, but it is rather cold work to spend hour after hour on 

 the common waiting for them. They inhabit the borders of ponds, lakes, 

 and inland seas, and are very shy and wary. As the flock rises from the 

 ground or water it forms into a V, the oldest gander leading. As the 

 birds fly to and from their feeding grounds tliey utter loud cries, which 

 may often be heard during winter. The Wild Duck or Mallard, the 

 original of our common duck, is the commonest of all, while next to it 

 comes the Widgeon. On th6 26th December last I had the pleasure of 

 seeing nine Widgeon whirl round and round, finally settling in our pond ; 

 after staying a short time they flew away. I believe these two kinds 

 comprise a chief part of the vast flocks of ducks which visit us every 

 winter. The Shieldrake, Shoveller, Pintail, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard, 

 and Scaup Duck are also found ; the two latter having been shot in 

 Woodchester Park. The Little Grebe, Dabchick, or Diedap, is plentiful, 

 and may be seen on most large ponds. It is a highly interesting little 

 bird, being very quick, and a most expert diver, but it plays sad havoc 

 with the trout spawn, and, consequently, is set down by keepers as vermin- 

 But it does not exclusively live on spawn, as I know that a stickleback 

 was taken from a bird shot on our pond this fall. It has the power of 

 sinking itself in the water, leaving only the head and tail out, and can 

 remain under an incredible time. The Great Crested Grebe, of which 

 ladies' muffs were made a little while ago, is at the head of this family, 

 though I do not know of its having been seen here. One of the most 

 handsome of our British birds is the Great Northern Diver. It is a 

 truly grand bird, often weighing 141bs. and reaching 2ft. 6in. in length. 

 Two of these birds have been shot in the Berkeley Canal, near Purton. 



A Cormorant was shot in the Brimscombe Basin during the winter 

 of 1876 or 1877, and is now. I believe, in the possession of Mr. Kingdom. 

 A Gannet or Solan Goose was caught by a shepherd in a field on the 

 borders of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, near Bodmarton. I can only 

 account for it being there by it having been driven inland by a storm, as 

 they generally inhabit the well known Bass Rock. The Kittiwake, Arctio 

 Tern, and Common Tern have all been shot here, while flocks of the Common 

 Grey Gull and Herring Gull are seen in the winter on the tops of the 



