G R E Y PHALA.RGPE. 75
Had been associating with the ducks for some days before. In Cornwall,
many were observed and procured in various ways and at different
places, in the beginning of October, 1846, after a strong gale from
the S.S.E. 'They were in a very poor and enfeebled condition. It
is said to be not uncommon yearly at Swanpool, etc.
I n Devonshire, one, October 12th., on the River Otter, near Honiton;
one near Barnstaple, November 16th., 18(56. Sometimes found around
the coast in the south. In Lancashire, one of two which were seen
about the same time, on the River Kibble; also two in Worcestershire,
the same month, on the River Severn. In Wiltshire, one is mentioned
by Montagu as having been killed at Alderton. In Northumberland,
one at the Fern Islands, in the autumn of 1820, In Sussex, on
Shoreham sands a few have been met with, feeding in company with
some Oyster-catchers, by Mr. Thomas Thorncroft, of Brighton. In
Kent, one was shot swimming on the Thames, at Swanscombe, in the
autumn of 1845, as Mr. M. C. Cooke informs me; Yarrell mentions
another shot near Battersca, in November, 1824; and Meyer two others
on the same river—one near Shepperton, in December, 1840, and
another December 2nd., 1841.
A few occurred in Lincolnshire in the winter of 18-54, the Rev. R.
P. Alington relates; one of them was obtained by H. Allenby, Esq.,
on the 15th. of November, in the parish of Thorsby. In Surrey a
fewr have have been met with near Godalming and Guildford; one at
the former place November 30th., 1846; about the same time six
more were shot near Woking; three near Bagshot, one of them the
25th. of September, 1845; one near Carshalton, the middle of November,
1851. In Oxfordshire, one some years ago, and five others were seen
near Chipping Norton, and three of them obtained, one of them a
male, and another a young bird, apparently of the year, in the winter
of 1846-7. One near Oxford, in the winter of 1852, of which the Hon.
T. L. Powys has written me word. In Cambridgeshire, three in the
hard winter of 1819-20. In Berkshire, one at Shinfield, in March,
1794.
I n Ireland, four specimens have been procured in different years, all
in the autumn. Mr. Thompson has described it as a rare but occasional
autumnal visitant.
In Scotland, likewise, others, as on the banks of the Solway, and
from the Frith of Forth. In Sutherlandshire on Loch Naver, and on
Benbecula, between North and South Uist, and in nearly all the outer
Hebrides, and the Isle of Skye. One at Fraserburgh, in Aberdeenshire,
the 27th. of October, 1853. Also in the Orkneys formerly, but
it has now disappeared there for several years.