TJie Birds of Hilhhorongh. 33 



Cygnus cygnus {Linuf). Whooper Swan. 



Thompson states"' that Wild Swans have occiirred at Lough Aghery 

 and Hillsborough Park but as at that time the difference between the 

 Whooper and Bewick's Swan does not appear to have been appreciated it is 

 doubtful to which species these records should be relegated. However on 

 1st December, 1912, live birds were noted on Hillsborough Park Lake 

 which were undoubtedly Whooper Swans. 



Cygnus bewicki Yarrell. Bewick's Swax. 



In December, 1919, a mature female with two inmature birds of this 

 species came to McKee's Dauj. The mature bird was shot a few days 

 afterwards, but the two cygnets remained for about a fortnight, when 

 they took their departure. 



Cygnus olor {Gmelin). Mute Swan. 



Scarce a lake or pond in the district does not provide habitat and 

 breeding place for a pair of these birds in a truly feral condition. On 

 Lough Aghery, which is a mile in length, 2 or 3 pairs nest, but on this 

 lake in Winter it is not unusual to observe as many as 100 of these birds. 

 Average size of eggs 107 '62 x 73-36 mm. ; average weight of full eggs 

 315.636 gr., of empty shells 38-943 gr. 



Anas boschas Liiinc>. Wild Duck or Mallard. 



The Mallard is resident and nests in the district in fair numbers. In 

 Winter large flocks of innnigrant birds swell the local population. 

 Thompson records! a nest of this species in Hillsborough Park, formed in 

 the old nest of a Magpie about 40 feet from the ground in a Silver Fir 

 tree. This nest contained 15 eggs, and he was of opinion that the young- 

 birds had been successfully brought out. Average size of eggs 56 '82 x 

 4r33 mm. ; average weight of full eggs 50*273 gr., of empty shells 

 4-783 gr. 



Querquedula crecca {IJnue). Common Tkal. 

 Resident and breeding in small numbers. 



Mareca penelope {Linnc). Wigeon. 



From 1905 till 1909 numbers of this species frequented the lakes in 

 the Park and Demesne throughout the Winter, but before and since this 

 period they have not been (observed. A male in fine plumage was seen on 

 "Tlie Cuts" by the side of the railway a little over a mile from Hills- 

 borough on 21st May, 1906. 



Dafiia acuta {Linuc). Pintail. 



A female of this species was observed on the lake in the Demesne on 

 1st February, 1909, but on the following day it had disappeared. 



* Nat. Hist, of I rein ml, Vol. Ill, \n>. 9 and 20. 

 t Nat. Hifit. of Ireland, Vol. Ill, p. 7(!, 



