Birds. 1257 



Common Curlew, Numenius arquata. Common. This bird has 

 been shot in all parts of the country, from the wild and rocky Ardennes 

 and valleys of the Meuse and Lesse to the low plains of Flanders 

 and Brabant, and from the wooded marshes of Limbourg to the vast 

 sandy heaths of the Antwerp Campine. 



Spotted Redshank, Tot anus fuscus. This species and the next 

 are not uncommon in spring and autumn. 



Common Redshank, Totanus calidris. Not commoner than the 

 last. 



Avocet, Recurvirostra Avocetta. Scarce on the sea-shore and in 

 rivers. I have never seen living specimens of this bird. 



Bean Goose, Anser segetum. " Regular passenger towards the 

 end of winter. They rest at night in newly-sown fields, and are very 

 shy. There are also a few flocks of vagabond bean-geese which ap- 

 pear with heavy snow, and which sojourn in our plains until the thaws 

 begin. Common in winter at the mouth of the Scheld and on our 

 shores." (De Selys). Very seldom, however, seen in the neighbour- 

 hood of Brussels. 



Pochard, Fuligula ferina. Common on extensive marshes and 

 lakes and at sea. Rather scarce for inland. Some are brought to our 

 markets. Come in large flocks, which fly without forming the V- 

 shaped figure of many wild water-birds. 



Ferruginous Duck, Fuligula Nyroca. Uncommon. 



Golden Eye, Fuligula Clangula. Common. Some birds pass the 

 winter with us, but the majority are migratory. 



Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator, and Goosander, Mer- 

 gus merganser. Both occasionally met with in spring and autumn. 



Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps rubricollis. Not uncommon on 

 rivers and marshes in different parts of Belgium ; sometimes also on 

 the sea-shore. Never remains with us in summer. 



Group e. 



I have created this group distinct from the one containing the birds 

 of accidental occurrence, because the present ones are seen regularly 

 every year, though at irregular periods during the winter months. 



Bernacle Goose, Anser leucopsis. On the sea-shore, and more 

 seldom on the Scheldt and in the interior. I have in my collection a 

 specimen killed near Brussels. 



Grey-legged Goose, Anser Ferus. Very uncommon in some parts 

 iv 4r 



