BIRDS 



seldom killed. One killed at Winshill in 

 1856 (Fauna of Burton, p. 107), and others 

 have since been killed in the neighbourhood 

 of Burton-on-Trent. 



128. Barnacle-Goose. Bernicla leucopsis 



(Bechstein) 



Occasionally shot near Tutbury ; one 

 associated with some Canada geese at Rolles- 

 ton in December 1859 (Nat. Hist, of Tut- 



bur y, p- 55)- 



129. Brent Goose. Bernicla brenta (Pallas) 

 Included in Garner's list. One. seen in the 



flesh in March 1893 said to have been shot 

 in Staffordshire (Birds of Staffordshire, p. 104). 

 One shot at Rocester about 25 January 1903 

 (Report North Staffs Field Club, 1903). 



[Canada Goose. Bernicla canadensis (Linn.) 

 An introduced species, flocks of which 

 often pass up and down the Dove valley.] 



[Egyptian Goose. Chenalopex regyptiaca, 

 Linn. 



Has several times been shot on the Trent ; 

 probably escaped birds.] 



130. WhooperSwan. Cygnus musicus, Bech- 



stein. 



Locally, Whistling Swan (Mosley), Elk or 

 Wild Swan (Brown). 



Has frequently been observed in the Trent 

 valley in small flocks. One was shot at 

 Swythamley in 1875 (Birds of Staffordshire, 

 p. 1 06). 



[Bewick's Swan. Cygnus bewicki, Yarrell. 



The bird of this species mentioned in the 

 Birds of Staffordshire, p. 1 06, was killed in 

 Derbyshire.] 



131. Mute Swan. Cygnus olor (J. F. Gme- 



lin) 



In a semi-domesticated condition on oui 

 larger rivers and on lakes. 



132. Common Sheld-Duck. Tadorna cornuta 



(S. G. Gmelin) 



This beautiful duck has been shot several 

 times in the county. The birds recorded by 

 Mr. E. A. Brown as breeding near Burton- 

 on-Trent were probably captives (Birds of 

 Staffordshire, p. 106). 



133. Mallard or Wild Duck. Anas boscas, 



Linn. 



Resident and fairly plentiful where pre- 

 served on large meres. It is also numerous in 

 the Dove valley between Rocester and Dove- 

 dale. Our resident birds are frequently 

 joined by flocks of migrants in winter. 



134. Gadwall. Anas strepera, Linn. 



A very rare visitor. One obtained on the 

 Tame at Comberford near Lichfield 22 

 December 1873 (Birds of Staffordshire, p. 

 108). 



135. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Linn.) 



A rare winter visitor. Mr. E. Brown 

 (Fauna of Burton, p. 1 08) says that many 

 have been killed on the Trent but it is now 

 rarely seen there. A drake was shot at 

 Rolleston on 3 April 1866, and two others 

 at Woore in September 1896. Mr. Harting 

 states that the nest has been found in the 

 county (Handbook of Brit. Birds, ed. I, 

 p. 62). 



136. Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linn.) 



A winter visitor of which several occur- 

 rences have been recorded. Not uncommon 

 in the Tutbury and Burton districts (Nat. 

 Hist, of Tutbury, pp. 56, 108). A young drake 

 shot at Barlaston in November 1885, four at 

 Leigh in 1895, one at Bloxwich in February 

 1898, and a drake at Hilderstone Hall on 4 

 February 1901 (Report North Staffs Field 

 Club, 1901). 



137. Teal. Nettion crecca (Linn.) 



Breeds very sparingly in Staffordshire (Birds 

 of Staffordshire, p. 108). In winter and spring 

 small flocks visit the middle and south of the 

 county. Frequents the scattered pits at Lea 

 Head singly or in pairs most winters (Report 

 North Staffs Field Club, 1894, p. 58. 



[Summer Duck. Aix sponsa (Linn.) 

 One killed on the Trent near Drake- 

 low a few years previous to 1863 (E. Brown, 

 Fauna of Burton, p. 228). Probably an 

 escaped bird.] 



138. Garganey. Querquedula circia (Linn.) 



Sir O. Mosley and Mr. E. Brown both 

 state that this duck has occasionally but very 

 rarely been killed on the Trent (Nat. Hist, of 

 Tutbury, pp. 56, 1 08). No recent occur- 

 rences. 



139. Wigeon. Mareca penelope (Linn.) 



A winter visitor frequently occurring in 

 large flocks during severe weather on Aqua- 

 late, Trentham, Rudyard and other large 

 lakes as well as on the Trent. 



140. Pochard. Fuligula ferina (Linn.) 



A winter visitant, not uncommon on the 

 Trent in hard winters such as 1890-1. 



141. Tufted Duck. Fuligula cristata (Leach) 

 By means of careful preservation this duck 



153 



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