84 



it is a rare occurrence to see a flock during the whole year, show- 

 ing that the resting place having been done away with they 

 have altered their course. I find two memoranda of Geese being 

 shot when I was present. On the 27th January, 1852, Mr. L. 

 shot one Pink-footed Goose; and on the 20th October, 1854, the 

 bag contained four Pink-footed Geese, shot in the evening amongst 

 other spoils got during the day. Others were shot that I have 

 omitted to take notes of at the time. 



DUCKS. Mallards often abundant. Many bred there and in the 

 neighbourhood, but being a good deal disturbed, after the young 

 could fly well they left and no number were observable till the 

 winter arrival about the beginning of November, especially if the 

 weather was cold, and snow had fallen on the hills, which always 

 brought them, and by this time the water generally got to such 

 an extent it was not easy to drive them away, and they remained 

 till the frost came ; but so soon as the frost became very severe 

 not a Duck would be left. I find a note I have January 4th, 22 

 of frost, travelled the Pont for miles, not a Duck left in the 

 country, edges of the river all ice, no feeding place left ; and 

 another note, January 9th, 1849, when with Mr. Lambert; we 

 got eight Mallards at a rise, we saw a number in a hole in the 

 ice which we crept up to. A similar pool left unfrozen and at 

 the same place the Swans came to, and which were approached 

 in the same manner. 



WIGEON. Quantities during open weather, remained from 

 September till frozen out, and again in spring, taking their final 

 departure by May-day, except a single Duck, which I shot on 

 August 2nd, 1852, while looking for flappers, and which had 

 probably been unable to leave at the proper time in spring from 

 some accidental cause. Some of the old drakes are in full fea- 

 ther again by November. I have frequently seen "Wigeon there 

 till very late in spring. On the 16th April, 1856, I shot two 

 drakes from a flock of forty or more in full plumage except the 

 wing coverts, which were not white but dusky, those of the young 

 bird. Probably such birds might not breed that season. I have 



