THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 73 



TEAL. 

 Querqtiedula crecca (Linn.). 



This pretty little Duck is not so numerous as we 

 could wish, being very thinly distributed on our 

 marshes ; they are rather more plentiful of late, 

 particularly in the vicinity of the duck-pond. 



WlGEON. 

 Mareca Penelope (Linn.). 



On the Medway are to be seen generally more 

 vessels than birds ; how then is it possible for 

 Wigeons to gain a settlement for the shortest period ? 

 They come, are off again, perhaps even faster than 

 they came ; it must be a very severe winter for a 

 few to drop on our creeks. 



EIDER DUCK. 

 Somateria mollissima (Linn.). 



A pair of Eider Ducks were shot on the Medway a 

 few years ago in their immature brown plumage. 



VELVET SCOTER. 

 (Edemia fusca (Linn.). 



Velvet Scoters do sometimes appear on the Med- 

 way, for the most part either females or immature ; 

 several have been shot. 



