Page:VCH Lancaster 1.djvu/251

 BIRDS 141. Grey Lag-Goose, j^nser cinereus, M.eyeT. This bird is seen annually during the spring and autumn migration in flocks which rest on the sandbanks off the mouths of the Mersey and Dee, and in Morecambe Bay on the large tract of land reclaimed since 1863 in the Ribble estuary. While other waders have ceased to find it a suitable rendezvous, geese of several species annually muster on it to the number of many thousands (Mitchell, Birds of Lancashire, ed. 2, p. 151). A pair nested on the Formby Sands in 1904, but on their eggs being taken the birds took their departure. [Egyptian Goose. Chenalopex cegyptiacus (Linn.). Shot on several occasions on the Ribble, but probably an escape from confinement (Mitchell, Birds of Lancashire, ed. 2, p. xi.)]. 142. White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons (Scopoli). A winter visitor, seen and obtained on several occasions among flocks of migrating geese. 143. Bean-Goose. Anser segetum(].'F.Graem). The bean-goose is often shot on passage during the spring and autumn migration, and so occa- sionally comes into the poultry markets of our large towns. 144. Pink-footed Goose. Anser brachyrhynchus, Baillon. An annual winter visitant, assembling with other species of geese in our larger estuaries, visiting the mouth of the Ribble in large flocks every year to feed on the early bent-grass shoots abundant there. 145. Red-breasted Goose. Bernicla ruficollis (Pallas). Two are said to have been shot between 1832 and 1837 in the flooded marshes at Sowerby near Garstang (Hornby, Zoologist, 1872, p. 3236 ; Halting, Handbook of British Birds, p. 435). 146. Barnacle Goose. Bernicla leucopsis (Bech- stein). An annual winter visitant, resorting in large flocks to Walney Island and to the shores of Morecambe Bay, and to the sandbanks in the estuaries of the Ribble and the Mersey. 147. Brent Goose. Bernicla brenta (Pallas). An annual winter visitor to all suitable banks and shores throughout the length of the Lancashire coast, and to many of the lakes, though not in large numbers. [Canada Goose. Bernicla canadensis (Linn.). Though often obtained on the coast, probably an escape from confinement.] 148. Whooper Swan. Cygnus musicus, Bech- stein. A winter visitor, especially in severe winters such as 1895, when they were reported from the meres, lakes, and estuaries of the county in considerable numbers. 149. Bewick's Swan. Cygnus bewicki, Yarrell. A winter visitor, generally in flocks, but so rare in Lancashire that only a few records exist during the past thirty years. 150. Mute Swan. Cygnus lor {]. F. Gmelin). Individuals of this common domesticated species, which often make their appearance for a time on formerly untenanted waters, are doubt- less young birds driven from some private enclosure by their parents when about to nest again in the spring. 151. Sheld - Duck. Tadorna cornuta (S. G. Gmelin). The sheld-duck is a resident and nests in all suitable places along our coasts, such as the Formby sandhills, among the warrens near the Ribble, and abundantly on Walney Island. 152. Mallard or Wild Duck. Anas boscas,lJitm. Locally, Mere Duck. A common resident, breeding in all our meres, and occasionally also far from water. In winter large numbers of migrants from the Continent augment our resident flocks. Several hundreds are taken every year in the large decoy at Hale. 153. Gadwall. Anas strepera, lAnn. A rare winter visitor to our inland waters, of whose occurrence several records exist, but pro- bably it is oftener seen than identified and recorded. 154. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). Locally, Spoonbill-duck. An annual winter visitant to all the marshes, meres, river pools, estuaries, and lakes of the county ; a few probably every year remaining to breed. 155. Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linn.). A regular winter visitor in increasing numbers to our estuaries and inland waters, and probably some remain to nest, though no record so far exists of their having done so. 156. Teal. Nettion crecca (Linn.). A resident, breeding in all suitable heathlands in almost every district of Lancashire. During autumn the home flocks are greatly increased by migrants from the Continent. Over 450 teal on an average are annually captured at the decoy at Hale. 157. Garganey. Querquedula circia (Linn.). A rare spring and autumn migrant, observed three or four times only. 158. Wigeon. Mareca penelope (Linn.). During winter numerous flocks of this duck visit the larger estuaries along the coast and [99