DUNCAN: BIRDS OF NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE TOWN MOOR. 217 



Little Bittern (Ardetta minuta L). An extremely rare visitor. 

 In April 1859 I saw one alight on a tree, on which it 

 sat for a short time, and then skimmed off low across the moor 

 and disappeared. A few days after a specimen was shot in the 

 garden at Denton Hall, three miles off. This is recorded by 

 Mr. Hancock. 

 *Bean Goose (A user segetum Gmel.). A winter visitant. I shot 

 a fine specimen as it rose from a pond on the 26th October, 

 1878. It was a very misty morning. 



[The Pink-footed species (Anser brachyrhynchus) is the 

 Common Wild Goose of the district. The Bean Goose is of 

 much more uncommon occurrence. — W. E. Clarke.] 

 Egyptian Goose (Chenalopcx tcgyptiacus Auct.). Two of these 

 birds were shot out of a flock of four in i860. They may have 

 been escaped birds. 

 Sheldrake (Tadoma cornuta Gm.). Not uncommon. I know 

 of several having been shot, and have seen two myself. 

 *Mallard (Anas boschas L.). A common visitant. 

 *Teal (Querquedula crecca L.). A common visitant; young birds 



appear regularly in August. 

 *Shoveller (Spatula clypeata L.). A rare casual visitant. I saw 

 a pair in 1859, and on the 1st August, 1873, I shot a mature 

 female ; it was in company with another. 

 *Wigeon (Mareca penelope L.). An occasional winter visitant. 

 Pochard (Fuligula ferina L.). A rare visitant. I saw one 

 which was shot in 1858. 

 *Ring Dove (Columba palumbus L.). Common adjoining the 

 moor. I have often seen immense flights crossing the moor 

 in winter. 

 Stock Dove (Columba csnas L.). Several have been shot of 

 late years, and I believe they breed in the vicinity. 

 ^Turtle Dove {Turtur communis Selby). A rare casual visitant. 

 I shot one on the nth November, 1853. 

 Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.). A frequent visitor. 

 Partridge (Perdix cinerca Lath.). Common. The moor is a 



favourite roosting-place. 

 Quail (Coturnix communis Bonnat.). Not uncommon; occa- 

 sionally breeds adjoining the moor. 

 Red Grouse (Tetrao scoticus Lath.). An accidental visitor. 

 One was shot in 1859, and several were seen in February 1886. 

 *Corn-Crake (Crex pratensis Bechst.). A common visitant, and 

 breeds adjoining the moor. 



July 1889. 



