NOTES AND QUERIES. 33 
This capture places the bird once more beyond doubt on the Irish list. 
It was seen in the flesh by Mr. R. M. Barrington.— W. J. Winurams 
(2, Dame Street, Dublin). 
Ospreys in Co. Sligo.—I regret to record the capture of two 
Ospreys (Pandion haliaétus), within a few miles of one another, in 
Co. Sligo during the month of November last. The first was captured 
by a boy, the second was shot a fortnight after; they were both in 
immature plumage, and doubtless the offspring of the birds so rigidly 
protected in Scotland.—W. J. Wiuuiams (2, Dame Street, Dublin). 
Night-Heron in Ireland.—An immature bird of this species (Nyctt- 
corax griseus) was shot on Lord Darnley’s estate in Co. Meath on 
November 21st last. It was in fat condition and perfect plumage. 
Stomach empty when captured.— W. J. Wiuu1ams (2, Dame Street, 
Dublin). 
American Wood Duck in Oxfordshire.— Early in last December 
Mr. R. W. Calvert saw hanging up in Oxford Market a strange Duck, 
which he was informed had been shot on Otmoor—the great resort in 
Oxfordshire of wildfowl—on the 4th of the month. He most kindly 
purchased it and had it sent to me. It proved to be a specimen of 
the Wood (or Summer) Duck (44x sponsa) in the plumage of the 
female. This beautiful Duck is one of the American species which is 
not admitted to a place on the British list, on the grounds that it 
breeds on ornamental waters in this country, and that young birds 
which are left full-winged sometimes wander away. But it has a 
wide range in North America—from Hudson’s Bay to the Gulf of 
Mexico ; and, according to Mr. D. G. Elliot, it is one of the earliest of 
the water-birds to start on its southern migration from the northern 
part of its habitat . . . ‘so anxious does it seem to be to get away 
from even the suspicion of winter” (cf. ‘The Wildfowl of North 
America,’ p. 87). The example in question was in good condition and 
in beautiful plumage, and weighed 17 oz. when it came into my 
hands.—O. VY. Apuin (Bloxham, Oxon). 
Wild Ducks near Lincoln City.—On the morning of Dec. 6th, 1907, 
I passed a sheet of water lying within a mile of the centre of Lincoln 
City, and, seeing that the surface was dotted over with wildfowl, I turned 
a strong pair of prism-glasses upon the birds, and saw that they con- 
sisted of Coots and no fewer than seven species of Ducks. The species 
and approximate numbers were as follows :—Mallard and Duck, fifty 
pairs; Teal, twenty-five pairs; Shoveler, three ducks; Wigeon, one 
duck ; Tufted Ducks, ten, only one old drake; Pochard, three pairs ; 
Zool 4th ser vol. XII., January. 1908. D 
