71 
THE GARGANEY 
Querquedula circia (LlNN^US) 
The Garganey in Europe may be considered a very local species. It is 
abundant in East Prussia and Denmark, but only visits north-western 
Europe, in which we may include the British Islands and Norway, in small 
numbers. Yet it is common in Sweden up to latitude 60°, and in summer 
breeds in Finland and Russia as far north as Archangel. In Eastern Russia 
it again becomes common, and in summer traverses the whole of western Asia 
as far as Kamtschatka, whilst Mr. Popham found it in Siberia as far north as 
Yeniseisk, and it probably accompanies the hosts of surface-feeding duck that 
breed in the deltas of the Yenisei and the Lena. In winter the species 
moves south to India, where it is very common in the winter, and Mr. 
Howard Saunders states that it occurs sparsely in Japan, the Philippines, 
China, and the Malay Archipelago. 
The Garganey is generally distributed throughout southern Europe during 
the summer, but is sometimes numerous in Spain during the winter. Even 
at this season it is fluctuating in its numbers, some years occurring in plenty 
and in others being scarce, owing to the birds going further south to winter 
in Morocco and Algeria, where at times they occur in great numbers. The 
winter migrations also extend to Egypt, Arabia, and Nubia. 
A few small parties of Garganey make their appearance in England at 
the beginning of March, and notwithstanding the protection that is afforded 
them they are certainly not on the increase, despite the statements of more 
than one careful ornithologist. Two broads in the county of Norfolk are the 
chief resort of this beautiful little duck, and there is little doubt that fewer 
nests are made there every year. Mr. J. H. Gurney, whose opinion I 
