NATURAL HISTORY RECORD BUREAU. 185 



Two interesting Ducks were obtained on the Solway in early 

 winter, one being an adult male Garganey, a bird not often met 

 with on the Solway, in full eclipse plumage — an interesting stage 

 of plumage ; the other an adult male Long-tailed Duck in full 

 winter dress. The latter species has occurred fairly regularly 

 on the Solway since 1884, but this is the first time it has been 

 obtained in this dress, and it is also noteworthy that the date 

 (Nov. 2nd) is extremely early for the assumption of the full 

 winter dress. 



The summer visitors, as a whole, were much earlier in 1909 

 than in the preceding year, despite the cold spring and late 

 frosts which lasted into June. The first Wheatear, which is 

 our earliest migrant, was noted on March 25th, as against 

 April 4th of 1908. The Swallow was seen six days earlier, and 

 the Sand-Martin ten days earlier. The Willow- Warbler was 

 reported three weeks earlier than in 1908. The Cuckoo, Corn- 

 Crake, and Swift were each ten days earlier, and the Chiffchaff 

 eight. There is still much to learn respecting the migration 

 range of our summer visitors, and we do not yet know to what 

 extent local movement takes place amongst our resident birds. 

 It is, however, hoped that a system of marking birds by placing 

 an aluminium ring upon a leg with certain distinguishing marks 

 thereon, which has been commenced in many places, will throw 

 some light upon this subject. 



We marked a number of birds last year in this way, and if 

 any birds should be found bearing a ring of this sort, we will be 

 pleased to have them sent on to us, with particulars of date and 

 place of capture. Our special mark on the rings is "Carlisle, '09," 

 and number. 



There is little to report respecting Mammalia, but Mr. T. 

 Nichol, of Skinburness, came across a Hedgehog in the very act 

 of devouring the young birds in a Thrush's nest. A female 

 Badger weighing twenty-four pounds was caught in aEabbit-trap 

 near Longtown, and several others were seen or caught in North 

 Cumberland during the year. It is evidently holding its own 

 there. The Slowworm (Anguis fragilis) is not a common reptile 

 in the Carlisle district. One was taken at Aspatria on Aug. 18th. 

 and sent to the Museum by Mr. H. Thompson. The following are 

 a selection from the notes and records sent in to the Bureau : — 



