was surprised at its arrival here so early. On another occasion 

 only I have seen this species alive. On the 13th June, 1855, 

 I saw two, drake and duck, at Prestwick Carr, and after having 

 told a person there what they were, I went again on the 15th 

 to try and get one of them. I found they had been shot, but I 

 saw them dead ; the drake had begun to acquire his duck-like 

 plumage ; it is possible they had intended to breed there. Now 

 I am almost sure the former three birds were not molested during 

 their stay ; neither were a Ruff and Reeve in full plumage, and 

 a Wood-sandpiper, which Mr. Hancock and I saw on the 10th 

 May, 1857, at the same place; and as none of these birds, or 

 others of the same sorts, have been observed since, I think it 

 rather shows that the sparing of rare stragglers, which apparently 

 come to us by accident, and out of their regular course, does not 

 cause any greater number to come in future years : at the same 

 time, I would never think of killing them except for some good 

 purpose. 



The Pintail appears occasionally during early winter, but is 

 not a resident ; those then got are invariably young, hatched the 

 previous summer, and in immature plumage. A few pass in 

 March, when they are in full plumage, but seem to remain a 

 short time only. Both the Pintails and Shovellers which are 

 found here in winter appear to be chance birds, left behind at the 

 general migrations. 



The Mallard, which is unquestionably the most useful, and 

 perhaps also the most beautiful of the whole lot, appears to be 

 and to have always been the most common species ; and as it is 

 a general feeder devouring grain, worms, insects, acorns, grass, 

 and clover so long as gentlemen keep extensive pieces of water 

 within flying distance, so that when a flock is disturbed at one 

 pla< ( it can get rest at another, it will continue to be numerous, 

 in spite of the drainage of the shallow waters and all other im- 

 provements. No doubt its breeding places are materially cur- 

 tailed, but still the enormous quantities of them which come from 

 a distance towards the month of November will always keep them 

 plentiful, in spite of the price upon their heads, and all guns both 



