2950 Birds. 



plucked from the parent bird. The nest contained eight eggs on 

 June 11, which were hatched a few days afterwards. They were very 

 similar in colour to those of the partridge, but somewhat larger, and 

 when the bird left them to feed, she covered them up closely with a 

 large lump of down. After feeding, the male bird accompanied her 

 back to the nest and then returned to the pool, not taking any share 

 in sitting on the eggs. Several of the young ducks were reared, but 

 the old female died. 



Golden Eye {Anas clangula). March 9, 1848, two shot off the 

 Trent ; but are very rare. 



Goosander {Mergus merganser) . On December 17, 1844, a goo- 

 sander took up its abode on the Trent, and staid some weeks. It was 

 not shy, and when fired at with a gun, merely dived below the surface 

 of the stream and reappeared after a few seconds. When observed 

 unmolested, its manners were pleasing and amusing as it swam 

 leisurely on the water, pecking and pruning its plumage or occasion- 

 ally dipped underneath. The Trent was partly covered with ice, and 

 it would disappear near the edge of a large piece, and after diving 

 under it perhaps for fifty yards, again come upon the surface. Several 

 individuals have been shot off the river. 



Little Grebe {Podiceps minor). They are most frequently seen 

 when floods occur on the Trent, but I think that they remain here 

 throughout all the wintry portion of the year. It appears to me that 

 during low water the birds secrete themselves under cover of weeds, 

 but when floods come on the river the creeks are flushed also, until 

 the waters cover the weeds, and then the little bird has less opportu- 

 nity of hiding itself and is oftener seen. 



Great Northern Diver {Colymbus glacialis). Sometimes shot off 

 the Trent. 



Redthroated Diver {Colymbus septentrionalis) . One killed, Janu- 

 ary 31, 1848, during the most severe weather that occurred that 

 season. 



Sandwich Tern {Sterna Boysii). Visit us occasionally, often in 

 spring and during stormy weather. 



Common Tern {Sterna hirundo). One shot, May 25, 1845. The 

 bird was flying at a great height. 



Kittiwake Gull {Larus tridactylus). One picked up alive near 

 here, March 30, 1846, probably on its way to its summer breeding- 

 grounds (the coasts of Durham, Northumberland or Scotland), but 

 unable to reach them from exhaustion. 



Common Gull {Larus camis). Occurs occasionally. 



