A HISTORY OF RUTLAND [Canada Goose. Bemicla canadensis, Pallas. One was shot before 1883 at Tixover, and a second on 22 February i8g8 near Gretton, both no doubt from some ornamental water.] 121. Whooper Swan. Cygnus musicus, Bech- stein. Locali's, Whistling Swan. One was killed 1850-60 by the Hon. W. Evans Freke. Seven were seen in the Burley Ponds in 1895, and one at LufFenham in 1885. On 29 November 1903 Captain C. Fitzwilliam saw fiftv-three flying over Barns- dale, and recognized them by their note. They were also seen the same day at Oakham by Miss J. M. Tryon. 122. Bewick's Swan. Cygnus bewkki^YTirTfiW. One instance. In April 1870 a specimen was shot in the Tixover meadows by Mr. J. O. C. Knapp. 123. Mute Swan. Cvgnus olor (J. F. Gmelin). A pair breed regularly in a semi-wild state on a little islet of the Welland near Barrow- den. Three swans, probably C olor, were seen flying over Bisbrooke in February 1 902, and two on the Welland on 26 December of the same year. 124. Sheld-duck. Tadorna cornuta (S. G. Gmelin). Rare. Lord Gainsborough saw one at Exton in September 1887, and a female was shot at Burley on 14 December 1888. A fine male was also obtained subsequently at the same place. Mr. W. J. Horn saw a pair on the flooded meadows near Caldecott on 28 February 1900, and one was shot at Ketton in the winter of 1903. 125. Mallard, or Wild Duck. Anas boscas, Linn. Numerous and resident, breeding along the Eye and elsewhere. The largest number of eggs found in one nest is thirteen. A favourite nesting site is on the crown of pol- lard willows by the stream. At times the wild duck is seen in large flocks of hundreds. On 19 December 1 90 1 I saw nearly two hundred and fifty on the flooded meadows at Seaton. 126. Gadwall. Anas strepera, hinn. Recorded by the late A. C. Elliot as a Rut- land bird. He had no doubt received one or more specimens to set up. 127. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). Two were shot about 1855, one at Thorpe by Water, and the other at Ridlington. A third W.1S killed 21 May 1882, at Seaton. In 1887 three immature birds were obtained at Burley Ponds, one being a young male in ' eclipse ' plumage. There is also a fine adult male in the collection at Burley House, and this was no doubt shot there. In 1897 two were killed at the Exton Ponds, and a fine specimen was shot at Caldecott on 17 January 1899, and is now in the Upping- ham School Museum. A female was obtained at Burley in 1903, and an immature specimen at Exton 11 December 1906. 128. Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linn.). Only two records : a pair shot at Burley in December 1883, and a female, now at Burley House, which was probably obtained in the same locality. 129. Teal. Ouerquedula crecca (Linn.). Regularly seen in winter on the Burley and Exton ponds, but elsewhere occasionally only. A pair or two stay to breed. On 4 August 1896 one was shot on the Welland bv Mr. J. Fowler, and about the same ear Mr. E. C. Rossiter saw a male bird on the Eye in May, but failed to find a nest. On I September 1885 or 1886 a 'spring' of teals, consisting of seven young ones and the two old birds, were flushed at Martinsthorpe on the Chater, and seven were bagged. Another brood was seen some years later near Whissendine. 1 30. Garganey. Ouerquedula c'lrcia (Linn.). Locally, Summer Teal. Rare. Occurs at Burley and Exton. Four were shot on the Burley ponds in August 1887. 131. Wigeon. Alareca penelope (Linn.). Large flocks pass over the Welland valley in the winter months, and some are to be seen there every year, as also at Burley and Exton. One was shot at the former place on 13 Octo- ber 1888, and others in August of a subsequent year. These last were immature birds of the year. Two were seen at Ridlington on 23 March 1890. 132. Pochard. Fuligula ferina (Linn.). Locally, Dunbird. A frequent winter visitor to the Burley and Exton Ponds. A specimen was killed at Casterton in 1883, and I saw two at Barrow- den on the floods 28 February 1902. 70
