Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 4 (1846).djvu/88

1254 the sportsman and ornithologist, well known piping and tremulous notes. Great numbers come to market with other game.

Jack Snipe, Scolopax Gallinula. Very common. Found in marshy places where the vegetation is very thick. It is very difficult to be made to rise, and will allow itself to be nearly trodden on before taking wing. Does not nidificate with us.

Shoveler, Anas clypeata. Regular visitant to our marshes. Some- times, though rarely, seen in Brabant. Not common. This duck is exceedingly shy and difficult to shoot. It is accidentally found on the sea-shore, as are all the Anatidæ in general. As food, the sho- veler is excellent, its flesh being tender and succulent.

Pin-tail Duck, Anas acuta. Comes before the first cold weather, and repasses in spring in flocks. It is by no means uncommon in our markets.

Wild Duck, Anas Boschas. Our commonest wild-duck in spring and autumn, when it is found on all lakes, marshes, rivers, and streams. Vast numbers are annually destroyed to supply the poulterers, by many different ways too long to be here enumerated. Some few are said to remain and nestle in our marshes. Very seldom found on the coast.

Several hybrids between this species and the Muscovy duck (Anas moschata) have been shot in a wild state in different parts of Belgium and the North of France : they are the Anas purpureoviridis of Schinz, &c.

Garganey Duck, Anas Querquedula. This pretty species is not uncommon, though rather local, being only found in some of our marshes and on rivers. It is seldom seen in the Brussels, but is very common in the Antwerp market. It is gregarious, and less shy than our other wild-ducks.

Teal, Anas Crecca. Very common in spring and autumn. I do not believe it nestles with us, though it is known to do so in still more southern latitudes in France, &c.

Wigeon, Anas Penelope. Common on its double passage. None nestle or hybemate with us. In some parts of France it is said to do both. Very seldom found on the sea-shore.

Smew. (See Zool. group c).

Red-breasted Merganser. (See Zool. group d. c).

The Eared Grebe, Podiceps auritus. Rather uncommon, and only seen on its passage. Sometimes on the sea-shore. This bird has been found in different parts of France, Germany, and Switzer-