NOTES FROM LAKELAND. 145 
which seems to be a record number for Lakeland, as the late 
Rev. H. A. Macpherson, in his ‘ Fauna,’ says that he never saw 
or heard of a party of more than twenty in that area. Dr. 
Heysham considered it a scarce bird in his day. 
The Grey Geese were again numerous on the Solway Marshes, 
and the Grey-Lag now appears to be the predominating species, 
although five or six years ago the Pink-footed Goose was by far 
the most plentiful species. 
The Bernacle Geese lingered in the district until May 6th, 
when a flock of about fifty to sixty birds were seen on Rockliffe 
Marsh.” 
(Macpherson, in his ‘ Fauna of Lakeland,’ p. 251, says the 
Bernacle Geese generally leave the Solway in March and April, 
but sometimes a few linger into May. |] 
‘‘One or two notable occurrences of rare birds have taken 
place, the one which more particularly came under our notice 
being the visitation of an Iceland Gull to the Eden. This species 
has only been recorded four times previously for Lakeland. The 
example mentioned spent several weeks during January and 
February about the junction of the River Caldew and River 
Eden, and was seen repeatedly during that time. 
One of the most interesting occurrences in the ornithological 
annals of this county is the fact that a young Whooper Swan* 
(the larger of the two species of Wild Swans which visit this 
country) took up his quarters during the winter on the Eden, in 
association with the herd of Mute Swans belonging to the Cor- 
poration of Carlisle. On its arrival it was in immature dress of 
the first year, but assumed the white dress and yellow cere of 
maturity during its stay. It lived upon the most amiable terms 
with its tame relations, and whenever the herd was annoyed by 
dogs, or other trouble threatened, constituted. itself their pro- 
tector. Such an occurrence appears to be without parallel, and 
Prof. A. Newton says that the Mute Swan generally evinces 
hostility rather than friendship to his wild relations. As the 
time of migration drew near curiosity was felt as to how the 
Whooper would act—whether he would be content to remain in 
his comfortable quarters or to return to his Arctic home—and on 
May 12th we were grieved, but not surprised, to hear that the 
* Cf. Zool. 1906, p. 198. 
