Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/349

Rh Bernicle Goose, Anser bernicla.—Very rare in this district. In October, 1867, a solitary bird for several days frequented the Moyview shore, but I was unsuccessful in obtaining it. It was afterwards shot by a neighbouring farmer. Captain Dover informed me that when punt-shooting at Drumcliffe, Sligo Bay, he occasionally fell in with small flocks of this species.

Brent Goose, Anser brenta.—Occasionally seen in the Bay and Estuary, but seldom remains longer than a day or two, for there are no beds of Zostera where they can feed by day undisturbed, the only beds being so close to the village of Ballysokeery that even the Wigeon scarcely ever feed on them except at dusk or during the night. The chief haunts of the Brent Geese on the Mayo coast is Blacksod Bay, near Bellmullet, where they may be seen in thousands throughout the winter.

Shelldrake, Tadorna vulpanser.—Has again become resident of late years. Since 1873 a pair have reared their young every season in the Bartragh rabbit-burrows, though previous to that date I only remember seeing them in winter. The cause of their return to the old breeding haunts may be attributed to the strict preservation of the warren by the owner, Captain Kirkwood, who since he has taken up his residence at Bartragh House has most carefully preserved the island from summer poachers.

Shoveller, Anas clypeata.—Very rare, and has only once come under my notice. On January 1st, 1862, I observed a fine adult male Shoveller amongst a flock of Wigeon on the river. In November, 1870, Capt. Dover, when punt-shooting near Bartragh, shot a beautiful pair, male and female, which he presented to the Royal Dublin Society's Museum.

Wild Duck, Anas boschas.—Very common in the district. A few small flocks are occasionally seen in the estuary, a hard night's frost always increasing their numbers, but the great body of them always keep on the lakes and inland waters, and when some of the large flocks come down from their inland haunts to the sea-coast they do not rest with the Wigeon in the estuary, but keep outside Bartragh in the open bay, and, if the weather is stormy, rest on the sands of that island facing the sea. On some mornings hundreds may be seen on their passage from the lakes to the sea, where they remain safe from molestation all day, and after dark they return in little detached parties to their inland feeding grounds. They breed in suitable localities throughout the district, and though an