SffYNSS OF THE GAD WALL. 57 



remained till the 2oth April, when they left not to 

 return. 



Gad wall are far more frequently shot in Ireland 

 than might be supposed.* I have myself noticed 

 six in one winter, on Lough Derg (upper Shannon), 

 and many more might be observed by keeping a 

 careful look-out. I have twice seen them offered for 

 sale with common Wild-duck in a poulterer's shop. 

 As already stated, they appear to make inland, and 

 if found at all are to be seen among the rushes, 

 bogs, and marshes, verging on freshwater lakes 



* A female was shot at Cappagh, co. Waterford, Nov. i8th, 1880. 

 Others were killed on the Blackwater by the late Mr. C. Musgrave. 

 One was shot at Bishopstoke, co. Cork, winter 1878-79 (Mr. R. 

 Ussher). More than one in Drumcliffe Bay, some years ago (Capt. 

 K. Dover). Five specimens obtained . near Abbeyleix, Queen's 

 County, between 1874-81 (Hon. Bernard Fitzpatrick). One in Kerry, 

 at Balla Lake, Ardfert, 1874 (Mr. Nelligan). Five by me between 

 1874-79 in various parts of Ireland; one in Ballycotton Bog, co. 

 Cork, Jan. 1881 (Mr. J. Hare), and a specimen was sent from Blacksod 

 Bay, co. Mayo, to Mr. Rohu, Dec. 1880. Mr. Williams, of Dublin, 

 says : " I have set up two Gadwall for Mr. Fitzpatrick of Abbeyleix. 

 I purchased two in the market last winter (i 880-81), and I saw five 

 other specimens in the poulterers' shops, ranging from a very young 

 bird to a mature male." Mr. Robert Warren, of Ballina, writes me 

 word that in 1879-80 he shot a male and female Gadwall out of a 

 little party of seven or eight, that were feeding near his house on the 

 Moy estuary. He adds, he noticed their peculiar appearance on the 

 water, and carriage of head and bill, together with the black patch 

 (really dark green), near the tail ; and at once seeing they were 

 strangers, fired and obtained a couple. The same winter he bought 

 three fine specimens at a dealer's in Ballina, and presented them to 

 the Kildare Street Museum, Dublin. Mr, Beecher, of Beechwood, 

 Dalkey, tells me he obtained three Gadwall, January 1881, in the 

 Dublin market ; and that he heard of two or three others offered for 

 sale, and shot in the vicinity. Mr. J. Payne, Bandon, came across a 

 bunch of six Gadwall on the Ballinacurra River, near Upton, co. Cork, 

 in January 1881. He fired and dropped one, which he described to 

 me as looking quite black as it lay in the snow. 



