152 A CATALOGITE OF THE BIKDS 



Old females of the domestic Duck, wHcIl is derived from the 

 Mallard, not imfrequently assume the plumage of the Drake. 

 A fine example of this phenomenon occurred at Cramlington, in 

 1858. The individual was fifteen or sixteen years old when she 

 was killed and came into my possession. For twelve years of 

 her life she was in the plumage of her sex, and reared several 

 broods. After the commencement of the change in plumage her 

 eggs became small, and she never afterwards showed any dispo- 

 sition to sit on them; but her voice remained unchanged. I 

 gave a description of this bird in the Transactions of the Tyne- 

 side Club, Vol. lY., p. 58. 



Another example of this peculiar change of plumage happened 

 at E.avensworth, a few years ago. In this instance the subject 

 was a true wild Duck, many of which were kept in a semi-do- 

 mestic state on a pond near the castle. I stuffed the specimen 

 for Lord Eavensworth, and it is now in his lordship's museum, 

 and is a very beautiful and perfect example. 



148. CHAULELASMUS, G. R. Grey. 



43. Gadwall. C. steepeea, {Linnccus.) 



Anas strepera, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, II., 300. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, III., 249. 



Only two examples of this casual visitant have occurred. One 

 was shot at Prestwick Car, 28th of IS'ovember, 1850, by Mr. 

 C. M. Adamson ; it was accompanied by another individual. 

 Edmond Crawshay, Esq., informs me of a male specimen which 

 was killed at Eenham Flats in January, 1860. 



149. MARECA, Stephens. 



44. "WiGEON. M. Penelope, {Linnceus.) 



Anas Penelope, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, II., 305. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, III., 286. 



A plentiful autumn and winter -sdsitant, but it never breeds 

 in the district. Mr. Charles St. John and I took a nest with 



