GOOSANDEE. .. 105 



of January, 1850. In Nottinghamshire, 'on December 17th., 

 1844, a Goosander took up its abode on the Trent, and stayed 

 some weeks. It was not shy, and when fired at with a gun 

 merely dived below the surface of the stream, and re-appeared 

 after a few seconds. When observed unmolested, its manners 

 were pleasing and amusing, as it swam leisurely on the water, 

 pecking and pruning its plumage, or occasionally dipping 

 underneath. The Trent was partly covered with ice, and it 

 would disappear near the edge of a large piece, and after 

 diving under it perhaps for fifty yards, again come to the 

 surface. Several individuals have been shot off the river.' 



These birds were very numerous along the coasts of Norfolk, 

 Suffolk, and Essex, in the winter of 1829-30. They are of 

 frequent occurrence, that is to say young birds, the old ones 

 being only met with in very severe weather. One at Guyhirn 

 Wash, on the 7th. of December, 1849. They occur near 

 Yarmouth occasionally, in hard winters. In the county of 

 Durham a pair of Goosanders, male and female, were shot 

 on the Tees, near Stockton, the middle of March, 1853. The 

 former was found to have part of a gold ear-ring in its 

 gizzard: what was its history? November 1st., 1852, one 

 was shot near Belvere Castle, Leicestershire. It has also 

 occurred in Surrey, near Godalming; and likewise in Dorset- 

 shire, Northumberland, Sussex, and Kent. These birds are 

 now and then exposed for sale in the London markets. 



It is not uncommon in the Hebrides, and breeds in those 

 islands North Uist, and others. The Rev. G. Low has 

 mentioned also that it used to do so in Orkney. It seems 

 to be now only a winter visitant there. 



In Scotland it is not uncommon in the county of Sutherland. 



In Ireland they are unusual visitants at the same season. 



These birds frequent the sea-coast, and the mouths of rivers, 

 the course of which latter they follow up in quest of food; 

 and also inland lakes. 



The vernal migration of this species takes place in February 

 or March; the autumnal in November. The former to, the 

 latter from the north. 



In the autumn and winter they assemble in small flocks 

 of about six or eight. They are sociable among themselves, 

 but do not mix by choice with other water-fowl. The Rev. 

 James Smith, of the Manse of Monquhitter, by Turriff, 

 Aberdeenshire, writes the following particulars of this bird in 

 the 'Zoologist,' pages 2295-6. 'While the male almost uni- 



