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A HISTORY OF DERBYSHIRE [Canada Goose. Bernicla canadensis (Linn.). 139. Mute Swan. Cygntts olor (J. F. Gmelin). Although ignored by most writers, or treated as a domestic bird, the Canada goose appears to have a good claim to be treated as an introduced species, for it has certainly estab- lished itself as a breeding species in many parts of the county. Some of the flocks are of considerable size (such as that at Chats- worth) and as the birds are at perfect liberty and fly strongly to considerable distances it is hardly necessary to state that they run the same risks as wild birds. Many breeding colonies exist on islands in rivers or orna- mental waters especially in the valleys of the Dove, Derwent and Trent. According to Sir O. Mosley the date of introduction was about 1820-30.] [Egyptian Goose. Chenalopex eegyptiaca (Linn.). Recorded from the Trent about March 1 2, 1885 (Naturalist, vol. v.), also near Burton several times and at Twyford (E. Brown, Fauna of Burton, p. 228). These in all prob- ability were escaped specimens.] 137. Whooper. Cygnus musicus, Bechstein. Locally, Elk, Wild Swan (E. Brown), Whist- ling Swan (Mosley). From the evidence of all the earlier writers on Derbyshire ornithology it is obvious that the whooper was formerly a much more frequent visitor than at the present time. I am not aware of any recent occurrence of this species, 1 but J. J. Briggs describes flocks of five or six to even thirty birds passing over in the winter, and disturbed a party of twelve from the Trent on one occasion which rose from the water with a loud, sonorous trumpet- like clang (Zoo/, p. 2822). Pilkington, Sir O. Mosley and Mr. E. Brown also speak of the whooper as a not uncommon winter visitor to the Trent valley. 138. Bewick's Swan. Cygnus beuiicki, Yar- rell. A flock of eleven visited the Trent in February, 1845, two of which were shot but only one secured (J. J. Briggs, Zoo!, p. 2823). Another was killed at Newton Solney on January 18, 1864, and is now in the Rol- leston Hall Museum. Early in January, 1895, a flock of six visited the north Derby- shire moors, and two were shot by a keeper near Ramsley Lodge (W. Storrs Fox). 1 Mr. W. Storrs Fox informs me that a whooper was shot by a keeper named Goodison on Rivelin Dams about 1887. Many of these birds exist in a semi-domes- ticated state on ponds and ornamental waters (like the Canada geese referred to above). Some of these birds not having been pinioned may occasionally be met with flying at a moderate height up or down the valleys of our three chief rivers. Large numbers were formerly found on the Trent, but their num- bers were reduced on account of the damage done by them to the mowing grass (E. Brown, Nat. Hist, of Tutbury, p. 108). 140. Common Sheld-Duck. Tadorna cornuta (S. G. Gmelin). An occasional visitor, generally to the Trent valley. In most cases no details are given, but Mr. Worthington records two killed at Newton Solney in 1865, and another was shot near Burton in December, 1890. On April 25, 1889, one was killed at Stanton-by- Dale (W. Fox). Several other specimens are known to have been obtained. 141. Mallard or Wild Duck. Anas boscas, Linn. A common resident breeding in consider- able numbers, especially on the banks of the Dove. A few breed on the moors in the north. This is certainly a species which has benefited by recent legislation and appears to be on the increase. 142. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). Not common, but a few are shot, generally in the winter, but sometimes in the early spring. Possibly a pair or so may have nested in the Trent valley or on the Nottingham border. Most of the records of this species are from the Trent valley ; but in August, 1895,3 drake was shot at Hassop (W. S. Fox), and it has been observed on the lakes at Sutton Scarsdale. 143. Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linn.). An irregular winter visitor, usually to the Trent valley ; but F. B. Whitlock also gives instances of its occurrence at Sutton Scarsdale, Borrowash, Kedleston and on the Dove. 144. Teal. Nettion crecca (Linn.). A fairly common winter visitor, and a few scattered pairs may be observed on our rivers and ponds till late in the spring. Some of these probably breed in the county, but the only place where I know for certain that they nest is on the grouse moors at the head of the Derwent valley. [Summer Duck. Aix sponsa (Linn.). One killed on the Trent near Drakelow 140