80 
J. E. LITTLEBOY—NOTES ON BIRDS 
16. The Sandwich Teen ( Sterna cantiaca). —Two Sandwich 
terns were shot near the reservoirs in October, 1886. The Sand¬ 
wich tern, like the last species, is a summer migrant, hut is not 
nearly so abundant inland. It breeds in countless thousands on 
the Parne Islands, and its eggs so closely resemble the pebbly 
beach on which they are deposited, that it is almost impossible to 
take a single step, on certain portions of the coast, without treading 
on them. 
17. The Great Black-backed Gull {Lams marinus). — Mr. 
Bothschild has kept a few of these gulls pinioned on the reservoirs, 
and they have occasionally been visited by others of the same 
species. These visits have generally occurred towards the end of 
May, only two or three strangers having been observed at one time. 
The great black-backed gull is resident on our coasts, but in the 
breeding-season it is principally confined to the vicinity of rocky 
coasts and mountain lakes. It is the largest of our gulls. It is 
almost omnivorous in its habits; fish, flush, or garbage of any 
description, appearing to be equally welcome. It runs riot among 
the eggs of terns, guillemots, and other coast birds, does not object 
to attack a weak lamb, and will swallow whole any young duck or 
wounded water-fowl that may come within its reach. 
18. The Grey Lag Goose (. Anser cinereus). —A grey lag goose 
was shot near the reservoirs in September, 1886. Although 
formerly common in the Pens, like other large wild fowl, it is 
constantly becoming scarcer. At present it has ceased to breed in 
any part of England, but it still nests in some of the wilder districts 
of Scotland. It is reported * that on a lake at Castle Coole in 
Ireland, Lord Belmore has more than a hundred of these geese, and 
that they never stray far from the lake. 
19. The Polish Swan ( Cygnus immutabilis). —A Polish swan 
was shot on the reservoirs, in August, 1885, two others in October, 
1886, and on one occasion a flight of nine settled on the Marsworth 
and Wilstone waters and remained there for several days. Some 
difference of opinion, exists among ornithologists as to the distinct 
character of this species. Mr. Dresser and Professor Newton 
admit it to specific distinction, but Mr. Seebohm hesitates to do so, 
and thinks that it “can only be regarded as a quasi-albino, produced 
by domestication.” f 
20. The Bed-crested Pochard (. Fuligula rufina ). — A female 
specimen of this species was shot by Mr. Bothschild on the reser¬ 
voirs, in September, 1887. The red-crested pochard or whistling 
duck is an important addition to our register. It is only an 
occasional visitor to England. 
21. The Goosander ( Mergus Merganser). —[Two of these birds 
were killed on the reservoirs in Pebruary, 18854] The goosander is 
a tolerably common winter visitor to the British Isles, being fairly 
plentiful along the coasts of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. It is a 
* Yarrell, ‘ British Birds,’ ed. 4, vol. iv, p. 257. 
+ ‘ British Birds,’ vol. iii, p. 179. 
J Information supplied from the author’s register.— Ed. 
