iiiily two were now left on the Water, These men had generally been accustomed to shoot thr>m before
daybreak, or at least on the quiet when no one was about. On this occasion, however, about midday they
surrounded one young bird, and driving it towards the laud, killed the helpless juvenile before it could rise
on wing. The remaining young one was afterwards attacked in the same manner, but having been frequently
lircd at and ascertained their intentions he refused to allow himself to he driven, invariably thing ofT on
the first signs of danger, and eventually escaping entirely from its persecutors and taking its departure for
other quarters.
"June 21st, 1861. Received word of two Swans having been observed Hying over Ilickling Broad,
and on proceeding to the spot 1 found them resting quietly on the water of S« iincoats, and bail no dilfeiilly
in shooting both by a right and left with the shoulder-gun as they rose on wing at the approach of the
punt. This pair of birds were doubtless immature, a few ilurk feathers on the plumage of their backs
being detected here and there. The beaks were a pale tlesh-tinl, with a small black knob at the base and a
black patch extending to the eye Iris dark hazel. Legs light grey with dark veins showing. Webs deep
grey, nails dark born-colour. There was no telling whether these were what are termed Polish Swans, or
only escaped tame birds that had evaded the operation of having their wings pinioned."
Again, under date of May 14th, 1SS3. "Two Swans circling over the open water on the Broad, and as
soon as they settled we sculled up and secured them at once. They were probably in their second year.
Beaks dark horn tint edged with black. Legs grey slate and the ridge edged with a deeper shade, almost
black." The reason I always started in pursuit of the nnpinioned Swans was because the keeper had requested
mo to kill them down, as there was then uo excuse for the natives going and disturbing the water. I also
imagined that strangers in various plumage might at times be obtained, but never clearly identified any
worth recording.
On Ilickling Broad, Heigbara Sounds, and Horsey Mere I frequently shot birds that might pass for the
form to which the name of Polish Swan has been given; but I am still of Opinion that this supposed
epceies is only one or the various stages through which the Mute Swan passes. The best description of all
the forms and colourings of the beaks of these birds that could be written would give but little idea of the
reality when the specimens are seen in life, and at least a dozen coloured plates would hi- needed to convey
an impression of the beads and beaks as well as the plumage of the specimens I procured during the time I
spent in this locality.
I often remarked on the Norfolk Broads that these birds are very pugnacious during the breedingseason,
when each pair select their quarters and resent all intrusions of their neighlwurs on their haunts.
A few years back I was at Potter Hcigham in the spring, and had hired the shooting over the greater part
of Ilickling Broad. On going afloat early one morning I discovered u most terrible battle was being carried
on between two fine old males; one of the combatants, I ascertained, bad his quarters on Bush Hills, and
the nest of bis antagonist was built on the slade on Swimeoats. The commencement of the light was not
witnessed, and when I arrived on the scene they were holding one another down on the water, and striking
violently with their wings whenever an opportunity occurred. Towards the end of their bout, and when both
appeared fit to cry " Hold, enough "*, being completely worn out, the water was covered with leather! for a
long distance, and had been in the same state all the time they were Hogging one another with their wings.
I do not think they exhibited their animosity for any length of time, as the following day the combatants were
swimming peacefully round their respective quarters, without the slightest signs of an attempt to pick a
quarrel again when either moved into the open water between the hills they frequented.
• Thr wri* " Hold, enough " occur in the inscription on the belt held by the chunpion uf the ring, mi DM linn M fctM from the tut
COMMON SO ELD-DUCK.
TADORNA CORNUTA.
M v\v different names are bestowed on tins species, and I have been rather puzzled to ascertain which was the
best to give it in the pages of ' Hough Notes.' It is described under the heading of " The Common Shehl-lluck "
in Varrell, and this denomination appears the most appropriate, as by Tar the greater number of our w ildfon 1
are termed Ducks, and not Drakes. It may not be out of place to mention the various titles by which Shohl-
Ducks are referred to in a few of our latest published works on Ornithology, ami to give the quaint appellations
by uhieh they are known to the natives in several remote parts of the British Islands. Yarrell, as I previously
stated, prefers the name of Common Shcld-Duck, while Seebohm and Dresser call the bird the Common
Sheldrake. It is also frequently spoken of as the Burrow-Duck by the natives of the locality in which it
hatches its eggs. Seebohm, when referring to the various designations of Shield-drake, Shield-duck, Shell-duck,
and Sbeld-duck, states that "The name is derived from the low (¡crinan Seheldrah, which may possibly refer to
the shield-like protuberance at the base of the upper mandible of the bill; but Willughby and Hay stated, more
than two hundred years ago, that they were called ' &M<tr<tkr$ because they arc palliooloured.' In Norfolk it is
provmeially known as the Bargander, a corruption of Willughby and Hay's Hergauder, a name borrowed by
them from Ahlrovatulus, and obviously derived from the high German Hirgnilr, though some writers interpret
it as Burgauder, 'bur' being a common north-country term for a burrow." The following extracts from
Yarrell, describing the habits of this species and also st iting the strange names they have acquired in certain
remote localities, are doubtless correct, and the sources from which the information is obtained are given :—" Some
are to be found on the sea-coast during flic whole year, preferring Hal shores, sandy bars, and links, where they
breed in rabbit-burrows or other holes in the soft soil, whence the name of 1 liurroiv Duck ' anil ' Bargander.'
In Scotland it is called ' Skeelfing Goose,' according to Sihbald and other writers since his lime, also ' Stock-
Annet.' Many Sheld-Dueks come from the north to visit tins country for the winter, for this species is rather
intolerant of cold." Again, after making remarks on its brooding-habits along tin' eastern shores of both
Bnghmd and Scotland, the names it has acquired are referred to. To Shetland it is a rare visitor at any season;
but is more common in Orkney, where, Dr. Patrick Neill says, " it has got the name of Sly Goose, from the arts
which the natives find it employs to decoy them from the neighbourhood of its nest; it frequently feigns
lameness, and waddles with one wing trailing on the ground, thus inducing a pursuit of itself, till, judging its
young to be safe from diseovery, it suddenly takes High! and leaves the outwitted Orcadian gaping with
surprise." It is numerous in summer in the Hebrides, where it is known as the " SI rand-Goose," and also in
some districts on the west side of the mainland. Dresser docs uot give us much information concerning the
nomenclature of this species, merely stating that the English names are " Sheldrake, Burrow-She Id rake,
Bargander." ne, however, concludes his article by a short paragraph probably taken from flic proof-ahoetl of
the long-expected 3rd vol. of the ' Birds of Norfolk,' w liieh be previously asserted had been placed at his disposal
by the author:—" Mr. Stevenson, referring fo the provincial name of ' Bargander' or ' Burgander,' by which