NOTES FROM THE LAKE DISTRICT. 121 
Whilst Partridge shooting in Hampshire, at the beginning of 
September, I killed an old Quail, which rose out of some barley, 
and a few minutes later a boy who was walking with us nearly 
trod upon a brood of young birds, not more than a week old. 
I cannot ascertain that any others of this species have been met 
with in this part of Lancashire, and the same remark might apply 
to the Red-legged Partridge, the nearest locality where the latter has 
occurred being, I believe, the East Riding of Yorkshire. 
The Short-eared Owl] has been as scarce this winter on Walney 
Island as it was numerous last year. Where seven or eight might 
have been seen in 1876 it is now extremely difficult to find a single 
specimen. Fortunately I have reason to think that the few that 
have returned have been better treated than they were last autumn, 
when large numbers were slaughtered for making hand-screens. 
I noticed one of these Owls near Lowestoft, in Suffolk, on the 11th 
September. On Walney I have never seen one before the middle 
of October. 
The first of the migratory ducks appeared last autumn on the 
reservoirs close to the town on October 13th; but since that date 
I believe no more have been seen there. I fear that the rapid 
growth of the town and the erection of some new iron-works in the 
locality must account for their absence, though possibly the 
extreme mildness of the weather may be a sufficient cause. On 
the same day several Swallows were to be seen on the wing at 
Furness Abbey, this being the latest date at which I have heard of 
their being observed in this locality. On November 10th a friend 
who was out with me on Walney Island killed a Purple Sandpiper, 
and on the same occasion we saw two others of this species—the 
first I have hitherto noticed in the district. At the present time 
(February) Knots are extremely plentiful on the island; and, not- 
withstanding the increase in the number of guns, all the ordinary 
sorts of waders seem to be as plentiful as ever. 
The dearth of Landrails during the past year has been noticeable 
everywhere; several Water-rails were, however, killed in January 
near Wastwater, in Cumberland. The latter are looked upon as 
somewhat rare visitors in this locality. 
