BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 177 



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recorded the occurrence of three mature males near 

 that city. One of these, which came into Mr. 

 Boulton's hands, had in its stomach five small roach, 

 from three to five inches in length. 



One of a pair which I obtained in this parish on 

 the 7th of January, 1871, was a mature female the 

 ovary containing eggs as large as No. 4 shot, the 

 gizzard fine vegetable fibres, quartz stones, and a 

 feather. This bird had the black cheek-mark which 

 is said to be characteristic only of the immature male. 



229. MERGUS SERRATOR, Linnaeus. Red-breasted 

 Merganser. 



Provincial. Sawbill. 



A winter visitant, but extremely rare. I have 

 never met with it in North Lincolnshire"* or along 

 the coast. 



Mr. Boulton had two in his collection, a male and 

 female the male shot some years ago, the female 

 about five years since. Both were shot in the win- 

 ter, and, curiously enough, at the same bend of the 

 river; and these are the only specimens he has 

 known in that neighbourhood. 



* In-the < Zoologist' for 1871, p. 2526, Mr. Boyes, after re- 

 marking on the numerous Goosanders shot on the river Hull 

 during that winter, says, "Is it not singular that the Red- 

 breasted Merganser, a species breeding rather commonly in 

 some parts of Scotland, should be so rare here ? But such is 

 really the case ; and no bird of the kind has 'been shot on the 

 river, that I am aware of." 



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