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 BIRDS 124. Brent Goose. Bemkla brenta (VaXiis). Locally, Black Goose, Ware Goose. An occasional visitor. One shot at Ross in 1882, has since been presented by Mr. Blake to the Hereford Museum. Ashdown writes that Mr. F. P. Powell, jun., of Dorstone, forwarded to him a specimen killed in that locality on 7 October, 1895. This is essentially a sea-bird, and very rarely occurs inland except in severe winters. [Canada Goose. Berntck canadensis (Linn.). This is a partly domesticated species, and there is no evidence that the wild American birds visit us (Saunders). Still, one can hardly account for the large flocks occasionally seen in this country, such as a flock of twenty seen at Goodrich, and another of five in the same place in January, 1886. One was shot, and is in the possession of Mr. W. Blake of Ross, who afterwards purchased another specimen shot in the same place on 3 February, 1897.] [Egyptian Goose. Chenalopex oegjptlaca (Linn.). One shot at Hengoed, near Kington, and two by the late Mr. Philip Morris of Hereford ; most likely escaped specimens, as the bird is often kept on various ornamental waters.] 125. Whooper Swan. Cygnus musicus, Bechstein. Locally, Hooper, Wild Swan ; Whistling Swan, Elk. A rare visitor in very severe winters only. One was shot near Ross in 1854, and a flock was seen on the Wye in the winter of the same year ; five were also seen at Whitney, one of which was shot and is now in the Hereford Museum. 126. Bewick's Swan. Cygnus iewtcii, YineW. Like the last-named species, a rare visitor in very severe weather only. Two specimens were obtained in January, 1 891, near Ross; one was killed near Kerne Lodge, and was preserved for Mr. R. Pashley of that place ; and the other was killed on the Wye, between Pencraig and Goodrich Castle, and was purchased for the Hereford Museum; both were imma- ture. Another specimen was killed on the Wye by Mr. A. Armitage, in the winter of 1885-6, near Dadnor (Blake). On 25 December, 1890, Mr. Oliver Power saw a flock of four and killed two on the Wye, in the Ross district, which were preserved. 127. Common Shel-Duck. Tadorna cornuta (S. G. Gmelin). Locally, Shield or Sheld Drake, Burrow Duck, Shelgoose, Bar Goose. An occasional visitor. One was shot on the Wye in 1877, and the Hereford Museum has two speci- mens, one of which was shot at Moccas in 1879, and the other at Whitney in 1 882. One was killed by Mr. Lydiatt near Dinedor in November, 1889, and a female was shot near Pontrilas by Mr. Broustet in 1891. Mr. Southall says : 'The Sheldrake also occurred in the county in 1884.' 128. Ruddy Sheld-duck. Tadorna casarca (hxm.). Mr. Elliott of Holme Lacey shot one of a pair in August, 1892, at Holme Lacey, which may safely be recorded as a true specimen, being much smaller than the bird contained in the Hereford Museum, which is undoubtedly an exotic (Ashdown). 129. Mallard. Anas boscas (lArin.). This bird is resident and common in the county, and is likely to remain so, as it is bred now and hand- reared in large numbers for the purposes of sport. [Gadwall. ^nas strepera, Linn. A rare visitor. There is one specimen in the Hereford Museum, probably a county one, but there is no history with it. It has, however, occurred in both the adjoining counties of Brecon and Radnor.] 130. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Lvan.). Locally, Broadbill. Also a rare visitor. One was shot at the Mynde in 1858, and another at Leominster a few years since. An immature male was killed by Captain Heygate on 22 November, 1892, on the pond at Buckland, Leominster. 131. Pintail. Da^la acuta (Linn.). Locally, Cracker, Winter Duck. Three were killed at Whitney in 1878, and two at the same place in 1880, but Ashdown throws some doubt on the first occurrence. In 1894, however, Mr. Turner of Lugwardine, shot at a pair, killing one, a beautiful male, and had it preserved. 132. Teal. Nettion crecca (Linn.). A common resident in the county, especially in winter. Mr. Southall says the teal and wigeon come next to the mallard in point of numbers. 133. Garganey. Querquedula circia (JAnn.). Locall'i, Summer Duck, Summer Teal, Pied Wigeon, A rare summer visitant, coming in March and leaving us in the autumn. One was killed on the Wye between Moccas and Canon Bridge in 1882, and a pair were seen on a pool near Leominster, in the spring of 1893 ; the male, a very fine bird, was preserved. 134. Wigeon. Mareca penelope (Linn.). Locally, Whewer, Whin. A common winter visitor. A handsome pair were shot at Hampton Park on 10 December, 1894. Many others have from time to time occurred in the county during the winter. 135. Common Pochard. Fuligula firina (Linn.). Locally, Dunbird, Red-headed Wigeon, Red- headed Poker, Eyed Poker. A fairly occasional winter visitor. Ashdown says it occurs in Herefordshire almost every winter. Several have been obtained near Ross, Mr. Blake having a pair from that district. 136. Tufted Duck. Fuligula cristata (Lach). A winter visitant, occurring in hard weather in fair numbers. The Hereford Museum specimen came from Ross. Two were obtained in the winter of 1879-80, one from the Lugg near Moreton, and one from the Wye at Whitney. One was killed at Holme Lacey on 18 January, 1894, in immature plumage, and on 15 February, 1895, a male with a very long crest was obtained by Mr. Blake, killed near Ross. 141