BIRDS 247 



were reclaimed, there can be no doubt that the Barnacle Goose 

 is only an irregular visitant to that portion of our coast-line at 

 the present day. The late Mr. Kirkby of Ulverston assured 

 Mr. Duckworth that a Barnacle shot in their neighbourhood in 

 November 1888 was the first that he had stuffed during a long 

 experience. Mr. Durnford records that several were shot near 

 Barrow in December 1879. 1 The bird no doubt visits the dis- 

 trict in most winters, but only irregularly, and when travelling 

 between more favourite haunts. It is well known at Ravenglass, 

 where Dr. Parker obtained an example in November 1878, and 

 heard of others. 2 



Dr. Stanley, in 1829, included it in his Whitehaven list as 

 ' rare ' in his neighbourhood, no doubt with justice ; for, though 

 the species is well known on our coast-line, it is only abundant 

 on certain salt marshes between Silloth and Floriston. It has 

 occasionally been observed when crossing the Pennine hills 

 on passage, but has very seldom been shot in the interior of 

 Lakeland. A specimen preserved at Edenhall was shot in that 

 neighbourhood, and stragglers occasionally fly up the Eden. 

 Richardson, who knew the species to be common on our coast, says 

 that, in his day. Barnacle Geese sometimes spent a few days on 

 Ulleswater. I have not heard of any being killed on that lake 

 recently; but, in the winter of 1889-90, two Barnacle Geese 

 made their appearance on Windermere Lake. One bird of the 

 couple was shot, and is preserved by a local resident, as I learn 

 from Mr. H. E. Rawson. Among the dales of our eastern limits 

 the Barnacle is little known. It has occurred near Alston. 

 William Dodd wrote to T. C. Heysham, on December 8, 1834 : 

 i Mr. Heysham, — Sir, I have, per this day's carrier, sent you a 

 Bernacle goose for which I paid 5s., not knowing whether it 

 might be useful to you or not, I thought it was best to name the 

 price that I had given for it, so that, if you keep it, you know 

 the price, and if you do not you would oblige me greatly by 

 getting it stuffed for me and returning it again when done. It 

 is considered a rare bird in this part.' The late George Mawson 

 recorded that a flock of Barnacle Geese appeared in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Cockermouth in the month of January 1865, during 

 1 Zoologist, 1880, p. 246. 2 Ibid. 1879, p. 118. 



