Whilst Partridge shooting in Hampshire, at the beginning of September, I killed an old Quail, which rose out of some barley, and a few minutes later a boy who was walking with us nearly trod upon a brood of young birds, not more than a week old. I cannot ascertain that any others of this species have been met with in this part of Lancashire, and the same remark might apply to the Red-legged Partridge, the nearest locality where the latter has occurred being, I believe, the East Riding of Yorkshire.
The Short-eared Owl has been as scarce this winter on Walney Island as it was numerous last year. Where seven or eight might have been seen in 1876 it is now extremely difficult to find a single specimen. Fortunately I have reason to think that the few that have returned have been better treated than they were last autumn, when large numbers were slaughtered for making hand-screens. I noticed one of these Owls near Lowestoft, in Suffolk, on the 11th September. On Walney I have never seen one before the middle of October.
The first of the migratory ducks appeared last autumn on the reservoirs close to the town on October 13th; but since that date I believe no more have been seen there. I fear that the rapid growth of the town and the erection of some new iron-works in the locality must account for their absence, though possibly the extreme mildness of the weather may be a sufficient cause. On the same day several Swallows were to be seen on the wing at Furness Abbey, this being the latest dale at which I have heard of their being observed in this locality. On November 10th a friend who was out with me on Walney Island killed a Purple Sandpiper, and on the same occasion we saw two others of this species—the first I have hitherlo noticed in the district. At the present time (February) Knots are extremely plentiful on the island; and, notwithstanding the increase in the number of guns, all the ordinary sorts of waders seem to be as plentiful as ever.
The dearth of Landrails during the past year has been noticeable everywhere; several Water-rails were, however, killed in January near Wastwater, in Cumberland. The latter are looked upon as somewhat rare visitors in this locality.
