150 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



and Caynton. Five, out of a flock of twenty, were shot 

 on the pool in Acton Burnell Park, November 24th, 

 1892, and a male near Iron-bridge, in November, 1896. 



Velvet Scoter. Resembles the last but has a white patch 



(E.fusca. by the eye and on the wing. It has 



Oct. Mar. only been obtained once in the County, 



near Shrewsbury; the specimen was 



in Mr. Bodenham's collection. 



Goosander. This and the two following species belong to 



Mtrgus merganser. a group called the Saw-bills, having 



Nov. Mar. long narrow beaks serrated along the 



edges, and terminating in a hook. 



They are very expert divers, and swim fast under water. 



When on the surface they sit low in the water, carrying 



the head with the beak immersed and fishing as they go. 



The Goosander is a large handsome bird, and occurs 



almost every winter on the Severn and the larger pools. 



In 1876 a flock of sixteen were on the pool in Hawkstone 



Park for two months two were shot ; and in the winter 



of 1885-6 there were several flocks of ten, fifteen, or 



twenty, on the Severn, between Atcham and Cressage 



several were shot. 



Red-breasted Merganser. Resembles the preceding, but 

 Af. senator. is rather smaller, and has a wide red 



Nov. Mar. band on the breast. Much less com- 



mon than the Goosander. Several 



were shot near Clungunford many years ago, a fine adult 



male at Minsterley, in November, 1889 (now at Mr. 



Palin's, Meole), and a female at Burway, near Ludlow, 



February 23rd, 1895. 



