2278 The Zoologist — Septembrr, 1870. 



the 22nd of September: the autumnal moult was completed and the 

 plumage yet black ; the white on the top and back of the head pure 

 white; the colour of the anterior portion of the bill Seville-orange- 

 yellovv ; nail, grayish yellow ; legs, tile-red ; membranes, black. A 

 specimen in a mutilated state said to have been found near Pendennis 

 castle in 1852. 



Pochard. — Not uncommon in the winter months after frost in the 

 Land's End district. 



Scaup Duck. — Rare in the western districts, a few occurring in 

 severe weather : the female has a broad white patch at the base of the 

 bill. 



Tufted Duck. — Found in the Land's End district in all winters with 

 more or less frost. 



Lonytailed Duck. — Very rarely found in the southern counties of 

 England: a female killed on Marazion marsh a i^y,' years since, and 

 now preserved in a private museum ; also a specimen from Tre- 

 gothnan. 



Goldeneye. — Not an uncommon species in hard winters in the 

 Land's End district. 



(It may be observed that the goldeneyes that appear in the far 

 west after and during severe weather are in the proportion of forty 

 out of fifty in the fen)ale plumage, or perhaps in the female plumage 

 of the first year of each sex. 1 observed one this week in perfectly 

 adult plumage. — February 9, 1870). 



Smew. — Rare : a few instances of its occurrence on record. A 

 specimen obtained from the ponds at Pendarves, and one, either a 

 female or male in immature plumage, from the neighbourhood of 

 Penzance. 



Redhreasted Merganser. — Generally a winter visitor, and during 

 severe weather not a very uncommon bird. 



(I saw a full-plumaged merganser which was killed in the middle of 

 the late winter in this neighbourhood : all the specimens I have hitherto 

 seen here — and they have occurred in the winter months — have been 

 in the sombre garb of the dun diver figures. I have regarded this 

 state of plumage as seasonal, as well as indicative of birds of the year ; 

 but the adult ornamental plumage of the specimen under notice 

 induces rae to suggest that if generally the less ornamental livery is the 

 winter dress, very old birds may retain the full plumage perennially. — 

 April 9, 1870.) 



Goosander. — Sometimes observed in Mount's Bay, but only in 



