256 
BRITISH BIRDS, 
The Goofander is an inhabitant of the cold north- 
ern latitudes, and feldom makes its appearance in 
the temperate or more fouthern climates, to which 
it is driven only by the inclemency of the weather, 
in feyere winters, in fearch of thofe parts of rivers 
or lakes which are not bound up by the froft. 
It leaves this country early in the fpring, and goes 
northward to breed, and is never feen during the 
fummer months in any part of England ; but in hard 
winters (which the appearance of .thefe birds pre- 
fages) they are common on the frefli-water pools, 
rivers, and fens in the eaft riding of Yorkfliire, and 
on the fens of Lincolnlhire. Their flefli is by fome 
accounted rank and fifliy j others fay that it is dry 
unpleafant food, and, in corroboration of this, 
quote the old vulgar proverb, “ He who would re- 
gale the devil, might ferve him with Merganfer and 
Cormorant/’ The author, in fome inflances, has 
found thefe proverbs to be not well founded ^ but 
never having tailed of this particular fpecies, he 
cannot hazard a contrary opinion. 
, The foregoing defcription was taken from a bird 
in full plumage, with which this work was favour- 
ed by Robert Pearfon, Efq. of Newcaftle, 20th 
March, 1800. 
