218 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Pintail, in perfect plumage, which had been shot on the estuary of the Exe. 

 Flocks of Shelducks appeared on the River Exe, and several were sent to 

 the poulterers for sale. Scaup, Pochard and Goldeneye have also been 

 procured, the latter in rather large numbers. T have detected many of these 

 at our game-dealers, as also several specimens of the Red-breasted 

 Merganser. Immense flocks of wild geese, chiefly Brent Geese, continued 

 to visit us from the commencement of the severe weather. A few 

 specimens of the Bean Goose were shot early in January, one of which I 

 fortunately obtained, as also a specimen of the White-fronted Goose. When 

 shooting on the River Exe, on Jan. 19th, I was astonished to see such 

 flocks of Brent Geese, which were pursuing their course from the sea to 

 the river, and vice versa : several gunners were awaiting their arrival, some 

 of whom were successful in obtaining specimens, myself included, having 

 added two splendid birds to my collection. A few Whoopers were seen, 

 and I believe two or three examples were secured. I should say that this 

 has been an exceptional winter for Bitterns, judging from the reports of 

 their occurrence : I have examined several specimens obtained in this 

 county. Woodcock and Snipe have been very plentiful. — Wm. E. H. 

 Pidsley (Blue Hayes House, Broadclyst, Devon). 



American Bittern in Co. Kildare.— An American Bittern, Botaurus 

 lentiginosus, was shot on Maddenstown Bog, near Newbridge, Co. Kildare, 

 on the 20th February last. It was a female bird, weighing 1 lb. 3 ozs., and 

 was in fair condition. It is a curious fact that another bird of the same 

 species was shot on the same bog last year, and is preserved in the collec- 

 tion in the Museum of Science and Art, Dublin. — Edward Williams 

 (2, Dame Street, Dublin). 



Crossbills breeding in Co. Waterford. — On the 16th May, while in 

 a tree with a Siskin's nest, a flock of nine Crossbills flew past, 

 uttering their loud rattling note ; so they have not forsaken Cappagh, but 

 having probably bred earlier than last year, owing to the mildness of 

 February, the broods have now flocked and are flying around their 

 breeding-haunt. — R. J. Ussher (Cappagh, Co. Waterford). 



Wild Swans in the Isle of Man. — During the past winter several 

 Wild Swans appeared in the Isle of Man. About the commencement of 

 this year one was observed in Douglas Bay, which was very tame, coming 

 close to the landing-pier, from which it was twice fired at. Later on 

 several were seen at Port St. Mary, one of which seemed to be wounded. 

 About the middle of January one was shot at Scarlett, near Castletown, 

 and proved to be a Whooper. At the same time I happened to be in the 

 north of the island, and was there told that a Wild Swan had been 

 captured on a pond about twenty yards wide. The bird sat on the ice 

 covering the pond, and as it did not rise when approached, a rope was 



