THE ZooLtocist—May, 1876. 4909 
Shieldrake.—It gives me much pleasure to be able to record that 
a considerable number of these handsome ducks still breed annually 
on our coast. Last summer I was shown a brood of nine which 
had been hatched under a hen at North End Farm, Walney Island, 
from eggs taken in the neighbouring sand-hills; and on March 25th 
of this year I counted as many as fifteen or twenty pairs in a com- 
paratively small area. Unfortunately, since the last-mentioned date, 
these birds have not been permitted to rest in peace, four at least 
having fallen victims to a single gunner in this town. 
Goldeneye.—During the whole winter a small flock of these 
pretty little ducks, varying in number from two to twelve, has 
occupied a large reservoir close to the Iron and Steel Works in this 
town. Owing to the persistent way in which they have kept to the 
centre of the sheet of water, I believe that not a single one has 
been killed during the season, although duck-guns of prodigious 
length, as well as sundry rifles, have been brought to bear upon 
them. The last disappeared about the middle of March. 
Guillemot.—On the 10th of February [ procured one of these 
birds, in full summer plumage. At this period of the year enormous 
flocks congregate in Morecambe Bay, previously, no doubt to 
retiring to their winter quarters. 
Cormorant.—A few usually frequent the North End of Walney 
Island during the winter, though specimens are seldom procured. 
On the 11th of March I observed a considerable number in an 
estuary on the Cumberland coast, but a fortnight later not one was 
to be seen. No doubt they had moved off to St. Bees Head, about 
ten miles further north, where I am told they breed annually. 
Roseate Tern.—I have lately endeavoured in vain to trace out 
a pair of these birds—now almost, if not quite, unknown in their 
once famous breeding-place on Walney Island—which were killed 
two years ago at Biggar (Walney Isle), and stuffed by a blacksmith 
in Barrow, who described them as rose-breasted “ sparlings” (local 
name for terns). I have still a remote hope that I may come 
across specimens of this bird, as well as Sterna cantiaca, during 
the ensuing summer, but the strictness with which the breeding- 
places are protected by special watchers placed there by the farmer, 
whilst it is undoubtedly an admirable arrangement, prevents the 
ornithologist from pushing his researches as far as he would desire. 
Blackheaded Gull.—The gullery on Walney Island has been too 
often dilated upon to require any description. It is still in a 
SECOND SERIES—VOL. XI. 2a 
