Herodiones.
ARDEIDÆ.—Common Heron, Ardea cinerea, generally to be met with. There are several Heronries in the county of Warwick. Little Egret, Ardea garzetta, said to have been obtained at Sutton Coldfield, many years ago. Night heron, Nycticorax griseus, one obtained near Alcester. Common Bittern, Botaurus stellaris, more rare than formerly; a great many examples have been obtained from time to time, especially in the neighbourhood of Sutton Coldfield.
Odontoglossæ.
PHŒNICOPTERIDÆ.—Flamingo, Phœnicopterus roseus; one stated to have been shot in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton, but probably an escaped bird.
Anseres.
ANATIDÆ.—Brent Goose, Bernicla brenta, scarce; two shot at King’s Norton, October 24th, 1882, during stormy weather; has also been obtained near Tamworth. Flocks of geese are often observed passing overhead, but of course it is impossible to determine to what species they belong. Canada Goose, B. canadensis, has been shot several times in the district, whether escaped specimens or not, it is difficult to say, as this species is often kept in a semi-wild state. Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, is to be found upon many large pools and ornamental waters; breeds here plentifully. Polish Swan, C. immutabilis, once occurred at Earlswood reservoir. Ruddy Sheld-Duck, Tadorna casarca, has been shot at Nechells, also at Yardley Wood; probably escaped birds. Common Sheld-Duck, T. cornuta, rare visitor. A magnificent male was shot at Hawkesbury, near Coventry, in 1881. Mallard, Anas boscas, plentiful on some pools; breeds throughout the district. Gadwall, A. strepera, very rare; one shot near Lichfield in December, 1873. Shoveller, Spatula clypeata, formerly bred in Staffordshire, but very scarce of late years; one shot at Sutton Coldfield, in 1867. Teal, Querquedula crecca, sparingly met with, a few pairs breed in the district; the nest has several times been taken in Sutton Park. Widgeon, Mareca penelope, winter visitor; often seen in large flocks upon the reservoirs and pools during severe weather. Scaup, Fuligula marila, has occurred once at Wichnor near Tamworth. Pochard, F. ferina, rare; has been shot near Tamworth. Tufted Duck, F. cristata, very rare; a male was shot in Aston Park many years ago, by a gamekeeper of James Watt, Esq. Golden Eye, Clangula glaucion, one shot near Tamworth. Goosander, Mergus merganser, an accidental visitor in winter; specimens obtained are generally either immature birds or females. Red-breasted Merganser, M. serrator, very scarce; only young birds have been obtained. Smew, M. albellus, very rare. A female was shot on the canal at Selly Oak, about fifteen years ago. Another example of this species was obtained at Elford, near Tamworth.
Chapter III.
Fishes and Mollusca.
BY G. SHERRIFF TYE.