BIRDS 



146. White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons 



(Scopoli). 



Another winter visitor, constantly shot at 

 Frensham and other ponds in the early years 

 of the century. No published record since 

 1851 (Bucknill, p. 218). 



147. Bean-Goose. Anser segetum (Gmelin). 



A casual winter visitor of very rare occur- 

 rence and never of regular appearance as were 

 the two preceding species. Recorded once or 

 twice only (Bucknill, p. 219). 



148. Pink-footed Goose. Anser brae hyrhynchus, 



Baillon. 



Curiously enough there is no specific re- 

 cord of this bird from Surrey, though there is 

 no doubt that it has occurred with other wild 

 geese on some of the western lakes in former 

 years (Bucknill, p. 220). 



149. Barnacle-Goose. Bernicla leucopsii (Bech- 



stein). 



Another maritime species, but shot at least 

 once in Surrey (Bucknill, p. 221). 



1 50. Brent Goose. Bernicla brenta (Pallas). 



A maritime species seldom found inland and 

 only shot in Surrey two or three times (Buck- 

 nill, p. 220). 



151. Whooper Swan. Cygnus musicus, Bech- 



stein. 



Like the wild geese the whooper was once 

 a regular winter visitor to the secluded waters 

 of the county where it has been often recorded, 

 but not, as far as can be gathered, during re- 

 cent years (Bucknill, pp. 224, 225). 



152. Bewick's Swan. Cygnus bewicki, Yarrell. 



A rare winter visitor in former years. Only 

 recorded once or twice (Bucknill, p. 226). 



153. Mute Swan. Cygnus olor (Gmelin). 



A common resident in a semi-domesticated 

 state on the larger rivers and lakes of Surrey. 

 It is doubtful if a properly authenticated truly 

 feral example has been recorded from the 

 county. The so-called Polish swan, a variety 

 in which the cygnets are white, has been also 

 observed and kept in Surrey on several occa- 

 sions (Bucknill, p. 223). 



1 54. Common Sheld-Duck. Tadorna cornuta 



(S. G. Gmelin). 



A winter visitor of irregular appearance 

 which has only been occasionally noticed. It 

 is a common ornamental waterfowl, and sup- 

 posed feral examples are often truant captives 

 (Bucknill, p. 226). 



155. Ruddy Sheld-Duck. Tadorna casarca 



(Linn.). 



A favourite captive, and although several 

 have been shot in an apparently wild state in 

 Surrey, none have perhaps been truly wild 

 specimens (Bucknill, p. 227). 



156. Mallard or Wild Duck. Anas boscas, 



Linn. 



A partial resident and a common winter 

 visitor. Nests pretty freely along the more 

 secluded waterways and in the sedge and rushes 

 of marshy grounds. Surrey formerly boasted 

 three decoys, two of which, Pyrford and Otter- 

 shaw, have long since ceased to exist, whilst 

 the third at Virginia Water is now of little 

 use. In severe weather the larger lakes usu- 

 ally hold a considerable number of this species 

 and the teal. 



157. Gadwall. Anas strepera, Linn. 



A very rare visitor, twice or thrice obtained 

 in the county (Bucknill, pp. 231, 232). 



158. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). 

 Another rare visitor, having only occurred 



in winter three or four times (Bucknill, p. 232). 



159. Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linn.). 



A winter visitor, of rather rare appearance. 

 It used to occur more often than it does at 

 the present day, but a few have been shot on 

 the lakes even in recent years (Bucknill, p. 

 233)- 



1 60. Teal. Nettion crecca (Linn.). 

 Although some few pairs have always nested 



annually in Surrey this species must be re- 

 garded as almost entirely a winter visitor. As 

 such it is still fairly plentiful on the upper 

 reaches of the Wey and on the big western 

 meres, particularly in severe seasons. 



161. Garganey. Querquedula circia (Linn.). 

 A rare summer visitor to Surrey, and very 



seldom noticed (Bucknill, p. 235). 



162. Wigeon. Mareca penelope (Linn.). 



A winter visitor, abundant doubtless in for- 

 mer years, but at the present day of very ir- 

 regular appearance in most parts of the county. 

 In hard weather and in early spring, Frensham 

 and other big ponds sometimes hold large 

 numbers, and on these it may be regarded as 

 of regular occurrence. Elsewhere it is not at 

 all common. 



163. Pochard. Fuligula ferina (Linn.). 

 Formerly rather a common winter visitor, 



but now, though occasionally seen on some of 

 the larger lakes, of by no means frequent oc- 

 currence. 



213 



