The Zoologist — Aprii., 1866. 163 



Pinches, at Soudley Pond, and has also occurred to several other col- 

 lectors. 



Tufted Duck (F. cristata).— One of the commonest of our winter 

 stragglers, though I have seldom seen more than one solitary indi- 

 vidual at a time. I have repeatedly killed this duck in all stages 

 of plumage, with the exception of the fully adult. In that handsome 

 dress they are certainly rare. 



Goldeiieye (F. clangula). — About equal in rarity with the other 

 oceanic ducks, though iew winters pass without specimens of this hand- 

 some bird being met with on our rivers. 



Smew (Mergus albellus). — The River Severn, near Shrewsbury, is a 

 very favourite winter resort of this particularly elegant bird. I have a 

 splendid pair in my collection, obtained from thence in the winter of 

 1865. They are full adult male and female. I also possess a very 

 perfect specimen of an adult male^ killed by me, some years ago, on 

 my pool. 



Redbreasted Merganser (M. serrator). — Seldom obtained, excepting 

 in hard winters, and then not very uncommon. I have seen several 

 good examples obtained in this locality. 



Goosander (M. merganser). — Like the smew, this fine bird seems 

 to frequent the River Severn, near Shrewsbury, in hard winters. It is 

 by no means rare. I saw two magnificent old males last winter, which 

 had been killed at Longner by Mr. Burton. 



Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). — Breeds at Hawkstone, 

 and on several of the meres and ponds on the Staffordshire side of the 

 county ; consequently it is by no means a rare bird. 



Rednecked Grebe (P. rubricollis). — Exceedingly rare. I have never 

 met with a recent specimen myself, but am informed that it has occa- 

 sionally been obtained, generally in winter plumage. 



Sclavonian Grebe (P. cornutus). — More frequently met with in that 

 immature stage of plumage described by Bewick as the " dusky grebe " 

 than in any other form. Specimens are not rare in winter on the 

 Severn. 



Eared Grebe (P. auritus). — I had the great satisfaction of examining 

 two exceedingly fine specimens of the adult male bird in the flesh, 

 killed at Hanmer Pool, near Whitchurch, in the summer of 1864. They 

 were seen in the company of other birds of the same kind (probably 

 females), and, no doubt, had these grebes remained unmolested, they 

 would have bred there. They were in perfect plumage, and are in the 

 possession of Mr. George Clay, of Wem. 



