BIRDS OF SOUTH-EAST NORTHUMBERLAND. 23 
January, when I have observed as many as twenty or thirty in a 
flock. Soon after the lighthouse was installed at St. Mary’s 
Island, two of these birds were killed by striking the tower 
during the night. 
SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata).—A very rare winter visitor, of 
which I have but two records—an immature male shot at St. 
Mary’s Island on September 12th, 1882, by Mr. R. Duncan, and 
a female shot at the mouth of Seaton burn in 1900. The latter 
was termed a ‘‘ Spoonhill”’ in the neighbourhood. 
Treat (Nettion crecca).—Formerly common in winter, at which 
time Mr. Duncan informs me he has seen large flocks. Now 
but seldom seen. The first record is a young male shot on 
Oct. 16th, 1834, at St. Mary’s Island. 
Piyratn (Dajila acuta).—The only record [have of this species 
is an adult male shot between the island and Seaton Sluice, 
about Dec. 10th, 1909. 
Wiaeron (Mareca penelope).—A winter visitant, formerly of 
regular occurrence but now seldom seen. large numbers 
occasionally resorted to the reservoir at Whitley Dene in former 
years. 
Pocnarp (Fuligula ferina).—A very rare winter visitant. It 
has occurred twice on Whitley Old Reservoir, once in 1903 and 
again in 1904. 
Turrep Duck (F’. cristata).—A winter visitant of uncommon 
occurrence. I have observed it feeding in the lake in Tynemouth 
Park near the tame ducks. 
Scaup-Duck (F. marila).—Formerly a regular and fairly 
common winter visitor, now of irregular occurrence. The first 
record is dated winter of 1888 (Hancock Museum); and Mr. 
C. M. Adamson, referring to this species, says: ‘‘ The winter of 
1837 and 1838 was a great year for Scaups on this coast. On 
Jan. 22nd, when with Mr. Hancock, we saw a great quantity at 
St. Mary’s Island. The old drakes seemed to keep in small 
flocks by themselves, perhaps three or four together. The young 
birds appeared to be in large flocks.” At the beginning of 
March, 1911, a male arrived on Whitley Reservoir, and remained 
there until April 9th, 1911. It was usually to be seen swimming 
up and down in the centre of the water, which is about one 
hundred and twenty yards in breadth and two hundred and 
