BIRDS 126. Whooper. Cygnus musicus, Bechstein. A not very uncommon visitor, but irregular, only appearing in cold weather, when the floods are out. There were a number in the Nene valley in February, 1893, and I several times saw a dozen or more. Captain Vipan shot two about then, and Lord Lilford records a number of other occurrences. 127. Bewick's Swan. Cygnus bewlcii, YarreW. An occasional visitor, under similar condi- tions to the last species. Mr. George Hunt shot several near Lilford in 1879, and Captain Vipan saw a flock of eleven Bewick's swans when he shot the two whoopers mentioned above. 128. Mute Swan. Cygnus olor (Gmelin). Acclimatized on our waters. 129. Common Sheld-Duck. Tadorna cornuta (S. G. Gmelin). A marine species, which has a good many times wandered to our county, where several have been shot. 130. Mallard or Wild Duck. Anas boscas, Linn. A common winter visitor, in nothing like the numbers, however, in which it used to appear. The multiplication of guns, and the consequent scarcity of quiet corners, has much to do with this, which affects all wildfowl. To a certain extent this bird is a resident also, breeding on waters with us where quiet is obtainable. 131. Gadwall. Anas strepera, hinn, A rare winter visitor in small numbers ; has been recognized and obtained several times at the decoy and ponds at Lilford. 132. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). A moderately common visitor at all times of year, but chiefly in the spring, and always in small parties. A wild drake once bred with a pinioned duck at Lilford. 133. Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linn.). An occasional visitor in the winter, never in any numbers. A dozen or more records are extant. 134. Teal. Nettion crecca (Linn.). A scarce resident, breeding occasionally ; many used to breed in the fens and ' washes,' till cultivation ruined them as fowl-resorts. Pretty plentiful in winter, arriving about the beginning of September. 135. Garganey. Querquedula cin'ia (Linn.). A rare spring visitor in small numbers, which has been four times shot in the county [Lilford, ii. 182-183). 136. Wigeon. Mareca penelope (Linn.). A regular autumn visitor to our waters, arriving as early as September 8th, but gener- ally at the end of that month, and remaining till April. 137. Pochard. Fuligula ferina (Linn.). An uncommon winter visitor in Northants, though it breeds in Norfolk and elsewhere in Britain. 138. Tufted Duck. Fuligula cristata {htzzh). A not uncommon winter visitor. It breeds in Norfolk and abundantly in Notts, but Lord Lilford does not record it as having done so in Northants, except in captivity, but I have reason to believe that it does. On April 25th, 1898, 1 saw a male swimming about on Blatherwycke Lake, and from his conduct he led me to believe that there was a female sitting on eggs on an adjacent island. Only male wild ducks were then visible from the same reason. This is only circumstantial evidence, but I believe it may be depended on. 139. Scaup. Fuligula marila (Linn.). A sea-duck, and one hardly fit to eat. An occasional winter visitor to the Nene valley, and half a dozen have been obtained at dif- ferent times. 140. Goldeneye. Clangula glaucion (hinn.). A not uncommon autumn and winter visitor to our inland waters, in small numbers, nearly always immature birds ; old males seldom occur ; worthless for the table. 141. Common Scoter. CEdemia nigra (Linn.). A purely marine species, which has thrice been recorded from our county in the early autumn {Lilford, ii. 198). 142. Velvet Scoter. CEdemia fusca (Linn.). Once seen near Lilford {Lilford, ii. 200). 143. Goosander. Afergus merganser, hinn. A not uncommon winter visitor to our waters, where a good many have been shot at different times. 144. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus ser- rator, Linn. A common bird on our coasts, but it seems to visit our county much less frequently than the last ; several examples, however, have been obtained in the winter. 123
