One specimen, a male, was shot on the beach here, in the spring of 1855.
Anser.
Of the genus Anser we are remarkably scanty. Several kinds of geese have from time to time been procured, and not an autumn or spring passes without many large flocks being seen passing and repassing, but to what species they belong it is difficult to say. That the Graylag (Anser ferus), the Brent (A. bernicla), the Egyptian (A. Ægyptiacus), and the Spur-winged (A. gambensis), have been met with, is beyond doubt; but that these are all that have visited us, it is hard to say. The Brent is very numerous in certain seasons along the coast.
Cygnus.
The genus Cygnus is still more scantily represented. Some of them visit us in passing to and from their breeding grounds.
Anas tadorna [Common Shieldrake].
This pretty bird is only a winter visitor with us, and then not in large numbers.
Anas clypeata [Shoveller].
This pretty bird is quite a rarity here. In the latter part of the winter of 1837-8, which was of great severity, a mutilated specimen of the shoveller was found dead amongst the rocks at Blackpots.