BIRDS. 55 



217. Tadorna cornuta (Gm.), Common Sheldrake. 



Resident in extremely limited numbers, its breeding stations 

 being confined to the sandhills bordering the estuaries of 

 the Humber and Tees. In autumn and winter it is more 

 common, being sometimes observed in large flocks, and 

 stragglers are occasionally seen on inland waters. 



218. Tadorna casarca (Z.). Ruddy Sheldrake. 



Accidental visitant from South and East Europe and North 

 Africa, of extremely rare occurrence, 



Cottingham, one killed some years ago, seen by H. B. 

 Hewetson (MS.). 



219. Anas boscas L. Mallard. 



Resident, local but fairly abundant. In winter large numbers 

 arrive from the north, usually in November, the species 

 then becoming very generally distributed, and much more 

 numerous. Formerly six decoys existed in the county, 

 but the only one now worked is that at Hornby near 

 Catterick, on the estate of the Duke of Leeds. In 1800 

 the decoys of Watton and Scorborough were destroyed by 

 the Beverley and Barmston Drainage Scheme ; the former 

 had an area of about 1000 acres of water, and has been 

 known to yield nearly 400 ducks in one day. The two 

 other Holderness decoys Home and Meaux ceased to 

 exist about the same time. One on Coatham Marsh at 

 the Tees mouth was in existence as late as 1872. 



220. Chaulelasmus streperus (L.). Gadwall. 



Casual visitant of very rare occurrence in winter. The 

 following are the occasions : At Swillington, prior to 1840; 

 Stockton-on-Tees, one, Feb. 18, 1843 ; at Doncaster, a pair 

 in the spring of 1844; on the Humber, a pair, March, 185 1 ; 

 at Hornby, one in the decoy, season of 1856-7 ; at Selby, 

 in 1858 ; at Skerne near Beverley, a male, Jan. 31, 1871 ; 

 Hempholme in Holderness, in 1876 ; and near York, four 

 females seen, one shot, Dec. 15, 1880. 



221. Spatula clypeata (Z.). Shoveller. 



Winter visitant, but not numerous, most frequent in Holder- 

 ness and in the vicinity of the Humber; of rare occurrence 

 inland. Hewitson (Eggs of B. Birds, 1856, voL 2, p. 400) 

 says : ' Mr. Henry Milner tells me that it breeds on 

 Hornsea Mere,' and I am informed by Mr. F. Boyes that 

 the keeper told him he once found a nest, and that he has 

 himself observed the bird there in the breeding season on 

 more than one occasion. 



