6 



I think I am entitled to say something about Northumberland 

 Garganeys, referred to by Mr Harting. In The Field of April. 

 1, 1865, under the head of " Wildfowl in the London Parks and 

 elsewhere," (See under the head Garganey, page 5.) Garganeys 

 certainly have always been very rare in the North of England, 

 Mr. Harting mentions Mr. Hancock's duck, and there was one 

 drake killed in the spring many years since at Gosforth Lake by 

 the late Mr. "W. Brandling ; these are all known, but from these 

 no conclusion that they actually bred here is decisive. 



Mr. Lubbock proves their breeding in Norfolk. He mentions 

 their appearance in March, and says those which did not intend 

 to breed there, departed about the end of April, and he ex- 

 pressly states in proof of its breeding that on July 24, 1827, 

 he shot four at sundown, three of which were young birds. 

 This species is easily recognised when crossing you flying, the 

 decided band on the breast being conspicuous, and the under 

 wing coverts being half of them dark and half white, continue 

 the band across the breast to the wings when flying. There 

 is a remark by Mr. Lubbock which creates confusion, and I think 

 must be a mistake, which is, that a female laid an egg in a 

 bakset in March, which seems from all we know much too early 

 for this migratory species, as they only appear to arrive late in 

 that month. 



That this species ever bred very commonly in this country is 

 very doubtful. Montagu, who wrote at the commencement of 

 the present century, says it was not then ascertained whether it 

 did. Mistakes are often made quite unintentionally. A person 

 once told me Sheldrakes came to an inland reedy pool in spring. 

 The bird was described as having a black head, a white neck, and 

 chesnut breast. I asked if the duck and drake were alike, and 

 the answer was "No!" They were Shovellers. There seem 

 divided opinions as to the time ducks pair. I find 1 have several 

 memoranda made years ago, and which have already appeared in 

 The Field under the above-mentioned heading. (See under head 

 Shovellers, page 3.) Those not intending to breed seem then to 

 leave. Col. Montagu, who perhaps paid as much attention to 

 birds as any person ever did, as he kept the various kinds of 





