BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF STAINES. 139 
same bird, but I am strongly of the opinion that there was 
a small party of them. It is probable that in some years small 
parties winter in the Park, though this year I have not been able 
to locate them. 
Common SHELD-DRAKR (Tadorna cornuta). —A flight of six 
were seen on the Staines Reservoirs in severe weather, Dec. 31st, 
1906. 
GoLDEN-EYE (Clangula glaucion).— On Dec. 29th, 1906, I 
found quite a number of Golden-eye on the Staines Reservoirs, 
and I think it may now be said to be a regular winter visitor, 
though not to be looked for until hard weather sets in. Christ- 
mas, 1906, was an old-fashioned one, with plenty of snow and 
frost. There were a great number of Duck on the reservoirs; 
several I knew to be strangers, but as I was unable to identify 
them with certainty they must be omitted from these notes. It 
is exceedingly difficult to make sure of birds on these reservoirs ; 
usually they keep well out in the middle, and even with good 
glasses the distance is too great for accurate identification. The 
slightest breeze ruffles the water into a sea and increases the 
difficulties. This January the frost was severe enough to cover 
the waters with a thin coating of ice, and I had great hopes of 
seeing two or three new birds. When I arrived there early in 
the morning a fog prevented me seeing more than fifty or sixty 
yards; the sun was shining overhead, and looked as though it 
might break through at any moment. Occasionally a shaft of 
light would struggle through for a minute, and show the ice in 
the centre black with Duck sitting and standing about. I 
remained until evening, but had no luck, though out of the fog 
came a very medley of bird-calls. The next day I had a similar 
experience, and on the following day the weather became mild, 
with high wind and rain. It was bad luck to lose such a chance, 
especially after two very cold days of watching. 
Pocuarp (Fuligula ferina).—I cannot find that there is any 
record of the Pochard having bred in Berkshire, but I can now 
record that at least six pairs nested on a certain pond in Windsor 
Park last year (1907). I expected to find the Tufted Duck doing 
so at the same spot, but after much searching I failed to find any 
nest, though I think it very likely that I shall do so within the 
next few years. 
M 2 
