y4 SMEW. 



three adult males were killed at one shot on the Isis, near 

 the seat of the famous University, the foundation of the 

 Great Alfred. 



The Hon. T. L. Powys has met with the Smew on the 

 Biver Nene, in North ants, near Stoke Doyle, on the 5th. of 

 January, 1850. In January, 1849, as Arthur S. H. Lowe, 

 Esq., of Highfield House, near Nottingham, has written me 

 word, several were seen near there, and four were shot: only 

 three had been known in the preceding thirty years. Three 

 or four, G. Grantham, Esq. mentions to me as having been 

 procured near Lewes, on the Sussex coast, one of them in 

 February, 1855, between Cuckmere Haven and Seaford. In 

 Hertfordshire one was shot near Watford. In Cambridge- 

 shire the Smew has occurred near Ely on the 7th. of December, 

 1849. In Surrey, near Godalming. 



In Cornwall this species is rare, and only occurs in severe 

 winters. In Norfolk young birds are not uncommon near 

 Yarmouth in hard winters: the adult bird is more rare. 

 Specimens have also occurred at Gwyllyn Vase and Swan pool, 

 near Falmouth one on the 29th. of January, 1848. In the 

 county of Northumberland Bewick mentions three females 

 killed on the Tyne at one shot, in January, 1820, after a 

 severe frost. In Cambridgeshire, Will ugh by mentions having 

 had one from Cambridge, and the Rev. Dr. Thackeray has 

 another, bought in the market there, in April, 1825. 



The Smew has been observed in Sanday, Orkney, and is 

 believed to breed in that part. 



In Ireland it is an occasional winter visitant. It is a Scottish 

 species likewise in the same manner. 



They come to us in winter. Their movements are southwards 

 in the autumn, and northwards in the spring. 



They are shy and careful birds, and take wing with great 

 readiness when apprehensive of danger. One has been kept 

 on the water in St. James' Park, London. 



They feed on small fish, Crustacea, and water-insects. 



They fly quickly, and are excellent divers, but walk in a 

 laboured manner. 



The nest of the Smew is made of dry grass, and lined with 

 the down of the bird herself. It is placed on the ground, upon 

 the banks of lakes and rivers, not far from the water, or in 

 a hollow in a tree. 



The eggs are said to be eight or ten, or from that to fourteen 

 in number, and of a yellowish white colour. 



