Page:VCH Surrey 1.djvu/256

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A HISTORY OF SURREY 164. Ferruginous Duck. Fuligula nyroca (GuldenstSdt). Once shot at Bramley near Guildford. The only county record (Bucknill, p. 239). 165. Tufted Duck. Fuligula cristata (Leach). A winter visitor, a few usually visiting the quiet western lakes in severe weather. It is not common, and though it has been found breeding in some of the neighbouring counties, I am not aware that it has done so in Surrey. 1 66. Scaup-Duck. Fuligula mania (Linn.). A marine species and has not unnaturally seldom occurred in Surrey. It has been shot four or five times (Bucknill y p. 241). 167. Goldeneye. Clangula glaucion (Linn.). An occasional winter visitor, not of any very great rarity, though but seldom specific- ally recorded. It has been shot on several of the large sheets of water (Buckmll y p. 243). 1 68. Common Eider Duck. Somateria mol- lissima (Linn.). Once recorded on rather indefinite evidence (Bucknill, p. 243). 169. Common Scoter. CEdemia nigra (Linn.). A rare straggler from the coast. Recorded some half a dozen times from the county (Bucknill, pp. 243, 244). 1 70. Goosander. Mergus merganser, Linn. An occasional winter visitor, of rare occur- rence at the present time. In former years it seems to have often been noticed. Has been shot on Frensham and other lakes (Bucknill, pp. 244, 245). 171. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus ser- rator t Linn. A casual visitor, which has not been re- corded for some years. In the early years of the century was several times observed and obtained on Frensham and the neighbouring lakes. The last record is in 1883 (Bucknill, pp. 245, 246). 172. Smew. Mergus albellus, Linn. A rare winter visitor. Has been noticed five or six times (Bucini//, p. 247). 173. Ring-Dove or Wood-Pigeon. Columba palumbus. Linn. An abundant resident, often reinforced in severe winters by enormous flocks of migrants from the north. 174. Stock-Dove. Columba cenas, Linn. A fairly abundant species, nesting rather locally, but not uncommonly, in the old tim- ber of our many parks. A considerable num- ber leave the county in autumn and return in spring. Those that remain throughout the year often congregate in winter with the pre- ceding species. [Rock-Dove. Columbia livia, Gmelin. Although recorded as occurring and even nesting in the county, this species must be regarded as a mere straggler, if, indeed, it has ever occurred in a wild state (Bucknill, pp. 249, 2 50).] 175. Turtle-Dove. Turtur communis, Selby. A common summer visitor, arriving early in May and leaving about the beginning of October. It is quite plentiful in nearly every locality at all suited to its habits. 176. Pallas's Sand-Grouse. Syrrhaptes para- doxus (Pallas). In common with most counties, Surrey has been visited by the Pallas's sand-grouse during its two great invasions. In the 1863 irrup- tion several were seen and two or three shot near Aldershot and others near Guildford, and in the later immigration in 1888 quite a number were observed and several obtained (Buckmll, pp. 251-253). 177. Black Grouse. Tetrao tetrix, Linn. From time immemorial this species has in- habited the high heath hills of the south and west of Surrey, but has in quite recent years become almost if not entirely extinct in every locality in which it used to dwell. It has a long and interesting local history. Many causes have combined to bring about its dis- appearance, and although often reinforced by artificial introduction, it is to be feared that it has now said a final farewell to the county (Bucknill, pp. 253-261). [Red Grouse. Lagopus scoticus (Latham). Frequently turned down, with some slight temporary success. No claim to be considered more than an importation (Bucknill, p. 261).] 178. Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus (Linn.). An abundant resident rapidly increasing with the increase of game preservation. 179. Partridge. Perdix cinerea, Latham. Another common resident, but less capable of semi-artificial protection than the preced- ing species, and therefore less constant in its numbers. 1 80. Red-legged Partridge. Caccabis rufa (Linn.). The French partridge is now a common resident, but was formerly rare. It is extend- ing its range and increasing its numbers, though it is not as yet as common with us as the grey. 214