BIRDS. 149 



since 1880, at Weston Park, Shifnal. Mr. Brownlow 

 Tower well describes these pretty ducks on Ellesmere 

 Mere, as busy birds, " almost lifting their bodies 

 into the air in their attempts to make a good header, 

 and obtain some luscious insect, or tempting portion of 

 vegetable matter. 1 ' 



Scaup Duck. Named after its peculiar cry. It is decidedly 



F. mania. rare in Shropshire. The two sexes 



Nov. Mar. differ widely in plumage. Young birds 



have been obtained on the Severn, 



Alkmond Pool, and at Newport. An old male was shot 



on Shrawardine Pool in 1895, an( ^ a nearly adult male 



at Kinnerley, January 6th, 1899, out of a flock of about 



fifteen. 



Golden Eye. Not uncommon during severe winters, 



Clangula glaucion. especially on the Severn. The male 



Oct. ii. May i. is a handsome bird with green head 



(slightly crested), black back, and 



white under-parts. Mr. Brownlow Tower writes that 



the Golden-eye " rises from the water with great rapidity, 



his wings producing a noise from which he is often 



known as Rattle-wing, and Whistler." 



Long-tailed Duck. A rare visitor. One was killed on 

 Harelda glacialis. Tong pool, November 6th, 1871. The 



Nov. Apl. * long tail ' from which the bird takes 



its name is seen only in the male. 



Black Scoter. As its name implies, this duck is black all 



CEdemia nigra. over. Its visits to Shropshire are very 



Oct. Mar. irregular, but it has occurred at Bur- 



rington, Ellesmere, Cound, Buildwas, 



