Birds. 2773 



in the neighbourhood of Seaford, Sussex. — G. Grantham ; Barcombe Place, near 

 Lewes, March 15, 1850. 



Occurrence of the Egyptian Goose at Pevensey, Sussex. — A specimen of this rare 

 bird was shot in the marshes last month.— J. B. Ellman; Lewes, February 1, 1850. 



Occurrence of the Wild Swan (Cygnus ferus) and Bewick's Sivan (C. Bewickii) 

 near Wisbeach.— In the middle of the month of December seven swans were observed 

 at the estuary of the Nene, and two were shot at, but being only winged they escaped 

 at sea by swimming at a rapid rate on an ebb tide. The man who shot at them, al- 

 though in a small boat, was unable to overtake them. The remainder of them still 

 frequented the adjoining marshes, and their numbers were gradually thinned. Some 

 of the birds were in the second year's plumage, but two clean adult specimens — one 

 of which is Bewick's swan, shot on Terrington Marsh, on the 29th ult — have fallen 

 into my hands. — T. W. Foster; Museum, Wisbeach, February 18, 1850. 



Occurrence of Wild Swans near Hull. — The late frosty weather brought us a good 

 many unusual visitors from the north. On a shooting excursion on the river Hum- 

 ber, ten days ago, I observed a long string, consisting of eleven wild swans, flying 

 over at a considerable height. — George Norman; Hull, January, 1850. 



Occurrence of Rare Anatidte in Sussex. — The past month has been one of unusual 

 severity generally, and in consequence the flocks of wild ducks and geese have been 

 enormous. Hardly a day passed but what specimens of the gray-legged goose, pink- 

 footed goose, brent goose, white-fronted goose, golden-eye, scaup duck, and all the 

 other common species of Anatidce, were shot in some numbers throughout the whole 

 of the marsh district in Sussex. The red-breasted merganser has been procured in 

 several instances, and also the hooper, and I believe Bewick's swan.— J. B. Ellman ; 

 Lewes, February 1, 1850. 



Occurrence of Rare Anatidce, frc, near Bishop Auckland. — The very severe wea- 

 ther we have had lately has been the means of bringing into our neighbourhood many 

 of our rare winter visitants, of which the following have either come into my pos- 

 session or under my own observation, viz., goosander, merganser, red-breasted mer- 

 ganser, smew, golden-eye, long-tailed duck, eider duck, brent goose, red-throated 

 diver (two specimens), crested grebe, Sclavonian grebe: several large flocks of geese 

 passed over, but at too great a height to ascertain the species : three spoonbills were 

 also seen passing over this place.— Joseph Duff'; Bishop Auckland, March 11, 1850. 

 Occurrence of the Ferruginous Duck (Anas ferruginea) near Redcar. — A specimen 

 of the ferruginous duck was taken in a decoy in Contham Marsh, near the Tees- 

 mouth, on the 17th of January last.— T. S. Rudd ; Redcar, February 5, 1850. 



Description of a Duck shot near Dunbar.— Thinking you might like to have a 

 description of the duck spoken of in my last letter, I forward you the enclosed sketch. 

 The duck was shot near Dunbar, whilst in company with several individuals of Bos- 

 chas, and may perhaps be only a variety or a hybrid, but offers — especially in its 

 sternum— many well-marked distinctive characters. I have been through the museum 

 at the University, but cannot see anything like it. Female : ova size of mustard 

 seed. Forehead, occiput and nape of neck black, with green reflections : side of face 

 marked with dusky stripes, one from gape passing backwards, another from bill to 

 anterior angle of eye: ear-coverts also dusky: a broad black stripe extending 

 down back of neck : shoulders, back, wing-coverts, tertiaries, primaries and long flank 

 feathers dark brown, with purple and green reflections ; secondaries dark, edged with 

 grayish brown: speculum gray, reflecting green: chin, broad collar round base of 

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