Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/564

530 conditions to the preceding. Occasionally three or four are brought to market during winter, which seldom passes without any. Five shot and eight others seen, Jan. 1st, 1893. Several odd birds since.

C. immutabilis. Polish Swan.—R. I have observed three or four examples of this species or variety in the market, noting the green lines down the toes, the web of the foot being black. Three hung on a game-stall in the market on Oct. 24th, 1890. An example shot on Breydon, Jan. 20th, 1897. Mr. Southwell tells me that in the many hundreds of cygnets which have been received at the Norwich swan-pit, not one example in the white down, which is peculiar to the Polish Swan, has ever been met with. [Stray Mute Swans of various ages are not infrequently shot. Five were killed in two shots on Breydon, Oct. 25th, 1881.]

Tadorna cornuta. Sheld-duck.—F. A few pairs nest on the North Norfolk coast. During a severe rime-frost in the winter of 1879 an unusual number passed along the beach southward, almost within arm's length. Frequent on Breydon in spring, where it hunts for Mollusca amongst the Potamogeton. It affects the water much less than others of the Anatidæ. Seventeen on Breydon, Jan. 13th, 1897, twelve of which I saw hanging on Durrant's stall on the 16th. Local, "Bergander."

T. casarca. Ruddy Sheld-duck.— A. "On Aug. 18th, 1898, an adult female, quite perfect in plumage, believed to have been shot near Yarmouth, was sent to Mr. Cole for preservation for Mr. Connop's collection" (Nor. N.S.).

Anas boscas. Mallard.—C. Since the Preservation Acts has certainly become somewhat more plentiful, although local gunners are wroth because the landed proprietors make sure of many flappers even before the close-season ends. Frequently crosses with domestic Ducks on the marshes. A cart-load on a gamestall, Feb. 26th, 1881.

A. strepera. Gadwall.—R. "Two or three generally shot every year on Breydon" (Pagets). It is not the case now. Three shot on Breydon, September, 1881, and afterwards hung up at Thomas's shop, were apparently all immature.

Spatula clypeata. Shoveler.—F. An increasing number nest on the Broads, and young birds are occasionally brought to market in autumn. Those shot in winter are doubtless immigrants. This