Birds. 2421 



have not succeeded in finding any remains of the prey dropped from the nests above. 

 This, however, is readily explained ; for I have observed throughout the rough grass, 

 on the insulated piece of land on which the heronry is built, several tracks of otters 

 (similar to those formed by badgers about their earths), which are evidently made by 

 those animals frequenting this spot in quest of food obtained at so little cost. — Wm. 

 Hewett; Reading, Berks, March 12, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Common Bittern (Ardea stellaris) in Norfolk. — On the 8th of 

 January last a remarkably fine old male specimen of the common bittern was killed 

 on the road by the river Bure, at Tunstall, in Norfolk. The marshes in the eastern 

 side of that county appear so well suited to the habits of this shy bird, that I should 

 not have thought of noticing this occurrence, but that — on reference to the Catalogue 

 of Messrs. Gurney and Fisher — I find that the bittern is, even there, getting scarce. 

 — W. F. W. Bird; 5, King's Row, Bedford Row, March 1, 1849. 



Departure of the Snipe (Scolopax gallinago) in 1849. — These birds left in a body 

 on the night of the 16th of March, though a few stragglers remained a few days 

 longer.—/. W. Hulke ; Deal, April 11, 1849. 



Inquiry respecting the Spur-winged Goose. — I trust that Mr. Ellman will excuse 

 me if I beg leave to inquire how the spur-winged goose comes to have a provincial 

 name in Kent, as he says it has (Zool. 2393). As far as I am at present aware, only 

 one specimen of this bird has hitherto been met with in this country, and that in 

 Cornwall. As your correspondent says, in the same place, that he means to devote 

 some time to the subject of provincial names of birds, I hope he will not forget to 

 notice this instance. — Alfred Newton ; Elveden, March 8, 1849. 



The Summer Duck (Anas sponsa) a British Bird. — I observe Mr. A. Newton, in 

 his account of rare birds near Thetford (Zool. 2382), says the summer duck has not 

 yet occurred in a wild state in Britain. The situation in which my bird (Zool. 2353) 

 was shot (not more than 200 yards from the sea), and the beautiful state of the 

 plumage, greatly favour the idea of its being wild : at all events it must have come 

 from some distance. Is it not also a common practice of those who keep such birds 

 to pinion them, in order to preclude all possibility of escape? — J. W. Hulke; Deal, 

 April, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Garganey (Anas querquedula) near Tring. — Eight of these beau- 

 tiful little ducks, four males and four females, were observed by the keeper feeding 

 on the banks of one of the reservoirs in this neighbourhood, at the end of last 

 month : not having seen any of this species before, he imagined they were the com- 

 mon teal (Anas crecca). They remained with us several days ; and on the 24th, as- 

 sisted by a friend and a keeper, I succeeded in procuring seven of them, four males 

 and three females. They were exceedingly tame, and in good plumage. I have 

 since been informed that seven more made their appearance for a day, but moved off 

 in the night. T must not omit to state that I tested their qualities for the table, and 

 found them quite equal, if not superior, to any wild-fowl I had ever tasted. — James 

 Williams; Tring Park, Tring, Herts, April 7, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Golden-eye (Anas clangula) at Tring. — A fine male of this spe- 

 cies, in full plumage, was shot here at the commencement of the present year. Small 

 flocks of these birds visit us annually, arriving here at the end of October, and re- 

 maining until driven away by the frost ; but being composed of females or young 

 birds of the year, it is very difficult to meet with an old male in good plumage. — Id. 



Occurrence of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) near Reigate. — A fine 

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