177 



SPUE-WINGED GOOSE. 



GAMBO GOOSE. 



Anser Gamlensk, ...... Bkissox. 



Anas Gamlensis, ....... Bewick. 



JPIecfroptents Gambensis, ..... Leach. 



Anser — A Goose. Gambensis — Of the Gambia. 



The introduction of this bird, a native of North-western Africa, into the British list, 

 depends upon the occurrence of a single specimen more than thirty years ago, and of 

 which the following record occurs in the Synopsis of the Museum at Newcastle, by G. 

 Fox, Esq. : — "When first seen, it was in a field adjoining the cliffs, at Port Wrinkle, a 

 small fishing place, about four miles from St. Germain's, (Cornwall,) near which it remained 

 for two or three days. Being several times disturbed by attempts to shoot it, it came 

 more inland, to a low-situated farm, called Pool, and there associated with the Common 

 Geese ; but was wild, and immediately took wing upon being approached. Here it kept, to 

 and fro, for a day or two ; but being much disturbed, left, and came down upon the shore 

 of the St. Germain's river, or estuary, when the following day, the 20th. of June, 1821, 

 it was shot by Mr. John Brickford in a wheat field at Sconner, about a mile from St. 

 Germain's. When killed it was in the most perfect state, having only one shot in the 

 head. Some gentlemen who saw it the following day, requested him to let me, (Mr. 

 Mewburn,) have it, which he promised; but though he knew I was a bird-stufier, he had 

 a wife, who, from some strange infatuation, thought she could stuff it; but being soon 

 convinced of her inability, she cut off the wings for dusters, and threw the skin away; 

 and it was not till three weeks afterwards that I heard of the circumstance, when I sent 

 a servant, who brought it covered with mud, the head torn off, but luckily preserved, as 

 also one wing, when I had it washed, and put it together as well as I was able. The 

 skin, in this state, was obligingly forwarded to Newcastle by Mr. Mewburn, for Mr. Bewick's 

 use, from whence it passed into Mr. K. Wingate's hands, who has most ably re-set it, and 

 thus preserved one of the most uncommon ornithological rarities ever known in 

 England." 



2 A 



