XCll PROLEGOMENA 



tance I first thought them Pheasons, and he looking like the old 

 Cock among them, but as soon as I came nearer to them the Part g . 

 took wing into the turnips, and he run some distance from me, 

 and then flew Across two fields into the reeds in the old pool 

 where the river Winster had formerly run. He frequently was 

 with the same party, but always made for the Reeds when dis- 

 turbd ; it has no marks whatever to indicate that it had ever 

 been in confinement, as the man that stuft it and myself 

 examined it minutely, legs being free from any mark, and 

 feathers all sound and fine glossy plumage in the various Colours. 

 At the time I shot it, I was not expecting or looking for it, 

 but it Arose in the reeds at A long distance, about fifty yards 

 off, when I made a very quick shot and killd it dead, one shot 

 having enterd back of head and coming out at the eye. I have 

 the bird still in my possession and [it] may be inspected by any 

 that have the curiosity to do so.' It would be interesting to 

 know the present whereabouts of this Porphyria. Both Mr. 

 Gurney and myself have endeavoured to trace it, but without 

 success, up to date. The Egyptian Goose (Chenalopex cegyptiaca) 

 and the Canada Goose (Bernicla canadensis) have occasionally 

 been shot in Lakeland. I am not aware that the former species 

 has become established as a breeding species within our faunal 

 area. The Canada Goose may perhaps be considered to have 

 become acclimatised. Mr. H. E. Rawson kindly tells me that 

 two pairs of this bird breed every year upon Rydal Water. 

 There are many nooks and corners in Lakeland where such 

 species as the Gadwall, the Pochard, and Tufted Duck might 

 breed in peace and security, such as Seathwaite and neighbour- 

 ing tarns, if our local proprietors possessed sufficient interest in 

 natural history to introduce a few pairs of pinioned birds. The 

 fact that a pair of pinioned Pintail bred for several years at 

 Ambleside should itself encourage landed residents to show some 

 enterprise, both for the sake of those who have developed a 

 capacity for enjoying the patient study of wild birds, and for 

 the sake of their own rough shooting. 

 Reptiles. In the summer of 1886 a fine Lizard of Ethiopian origin was 



captured on the edge of a heath to the north of Carlisle, and taken 

 to Mr. Parker, the chemist of Rickergate. Having no knowledge 



