Extracted from:
HANDBOOK TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CARMARTHENSHIRE BY TW BARKER.

Carmarthen: Printed by W Spurrell & Son 1905

Transcribers notes.

The Mr Jeffreys mentioned frequently in the text is Thomas Richard Jeffreys, Taxidermist, 40 King Street, Carmarthen. (1837-1910)

Towns and villages mentioned in the text are easily identifiable, however, there are other places and residences that may not be familiar to readers for which I have given map references.

Alltycadno. Llangyndeyrn. SN456136

Brynmyrddin. Abergwili. SN448213

Carreg Cennen. Trapp. SN668190

Dynevor Park. Llandeilo. SN615224

Glanbrydan. Manordeilo. SN665264

Glancennen. Llandybie/Llandeilo. SN618181

Glynhir, Llandybie. SN639151

Golden Grove. Llandeilo. SN597198

Iscoed. Ferryside. SN383113

Merlin’s Hill. Abergwili. SN454215

Oaklands was Barker’s residence in Cwmffrwd, just outside Carmarthen (now Powercut). SN424166

Pantglas. Llanfynydd. SN548256

Penbryn, Llangunnor. SN418188

Penllwyn Park. Carmarthen. SN403201

Tregyb. Llandeilo. SN635213

Van. Black Mountain. SN822224

Wernoleu. Llangynog. SN364174

THE BIRDS OF CARMARTHENSHIRE pp1-19

There is perhaps no branch of Natural History so interesting as the study of bird life, but there are some special difficulties connected with it. so many birds are migratory in their habits and only occasional visitors, that no one observer, however diligent he may be, can expect to meet with anything like all the birds of a County. Then again there is the problem of identification, often a very difficult one. The young Ornithologist may well exclaim, in imitation of an old rhyme-

‘The Ducks and Gulls they puzzle me,

The Waders drive me mad.’

And even among those orders, the species of which are more easily discriminated, we often find some birds whose shy and wary ways render it almost impossible to be quite sure to what species they belong.

One shrinks from shooting a bird merely to see what kind it is, and the law rightly protects many with very satisfactory results. The Goldfinch for instance is now once again a fairly common bird in many places, where, a few years back, it had almost ceased to exist.

The late Mr R Browne, Solicitor, of Carmarthen, was one of the most careful and scientific of our County Ornithologists. He died before he was able to fulfil his promise of revising my bird list, but through the kindness of his executor, Mr CE Morris, I have been permitted to make use of his notes.

I am much indebted too to Mr L Powell, of Carreg Cennen, for his kind help and lending me a manuscript list of East Carmarthenshire Birds, compiled by Mr GD Davidson, and to Dr Salter of Aberystwyth, and Mr Davidson for kindly revising my list.

Without these aids and the valuable assistance of Mr Jeffreys, King Street, Carmarthen, the following list would have been but a meagre one.

Those marked on it with an asterisk are the birds which I have not myself seen wild in the County. The letter B is placed against those on Mr Browne’s list, and J denoted records given me by Mr Jeffreys.

LIST OF CARMARTHENSHIRE BIRDS

B Missel Thrush: Turdus viscivorus. Not uncommon. In 1904 I found two nests of this bird at Oaklands, one of them in a Scotch fir tree, in which the Long-eared Owl also had a nest.

B Song Thrush. Turdus musicus. Common.

B Redwing: Turdus iliacus. A common winter visitor.

B Fieldfare: Turdus pilaris. A winter visitor.

B Blackbird: Merula vulgaris. Very common.

B Ring Ouzel: Merula torquata. One has been seen lately near Carmarthen. Mr Davidson mentions one having been seen. Dr Salter tells me that it breeds on the Black Mountains near the Van Pool.

B Wheatear: Saxicola oenanthe. Pendine Burrows and elsewhere.

B Whinchat: Pratincola rubetra. On Heaths.

B Stonechat: Pratincola rubicola. Not uncommon.

B Redstart: Ruticilla phoenicurus. Not very common near Carmarthen; but I understand from Dr Salter that it is very abundant in the upper Towy valley.

B Black Redstart or Blackstart: Ruticilla titys. Note by Mr Browne: ‘1875, December 28th. Whilst in Barker’s Office, Carmarthen, saw two Blackstarts on the roof of a house close to the office window: one was rather darker than the other. I fancy I saw one some years ago at Kidwelly about this season of the year. – RB’ This was at the office in Quay Street, now used by Mr Walters. I remember my father telling me that evening that Mr Browne had seen some rare birds from the office window. It was, I think, then that I first knew that Mr Browne was interested in ornithology.

B Robin: Erithacus rubecula. Very common.

B Whitethroat: Sylvia cinerea. Not uncommon.

* Lesser Whitethroat: Sylvia curruca. On Mr Davidson’s list.

B Blackcap: Sylvia atricapilla. Occasionally. One seen at Oaklands in 1904. Possibly the house owes its old name of Llwynyreos (Nightingale’s Grove) to this bird, or perhaps Nightingales were formerly found in Wales. The constant occurrence of ‘eos’ in place names would seem to point to the latter solution. The Welsh name for Blackcap is given in Spurrell’s Dictionary as ‘penloyn’ or ‘lleian’.

* B Garden Warbler: Sylvia hortensis.

* Dartford Warbler: Melizophilus undatus. Seen by Mr Davidson at Bettws in 1901.

B Gold-crested Wren: Regulus cristatus. Fairly common.

B Chiffchaff: Phylloscopus rufus. Fairly common. One nested in 1903 by the side of our drive.

B Willow Wren: Phylloscopus trochilus. Common.

* Wood Wren or Wood Warbler: Phylloscopus sibilatrix. On Mr Davidson’s list. Dr Salter tells me that it occurs abundantly in oak woods in the upper Towy vally, &c.

* B Reed Warbler: Aerocephalus streperus.

* Sedge Warbler: Aerocephalus phragmitis. On Mr Davidson’s list.

* B Grasshopper Warbler: Locustella naevia. Mr Browne told me that he had frequently heard this bird at Kidwelly, but had seldom seen it owing to its shy habits. On Mr Davidson’s list.

B Hedge Sparrow: Accentor modularis. Common.

B Dipper or Water Ouzel: Cinclus aquaticus. Fairly common. I have seen two or three nests by the streamside near Cwmffrwd.

* Bearded Tit: Panarus biarmicus. Recorded in Matthew’s Birds of Pembrokeshire as having occurred near St Clears in 1891 (Mr Davidson’s list).

B British Long-tailed Tit: Acredula rosea. Common.

B Great Tit: Parus major. Common.

B Coal (or Cole) Tit: Parus britannicus. Fairly common.

B Marsh Tit: Parus palutris. Occasionally. A pair bred at Oaklands in 1905.

B Blue Tit: Parus coeruleus. Very common.

B Nuthatch: Sitta caesia. I have seen one at Brynmyrddin, and am told that there are several there. A note by Mr Browne, dated 16th March, 1873, states that he saw one that day at Penbryn, the first he had ever seen of heard of in this county. Mr Davidson records this species as occurring in Glynhir Woods and Dynevor Park, and Mr Powell has seen it frequently near Carreg Cennen and Tregyb.

B Wren: Troglodytes parvalus. Very common.

* B White Wagtail: Motacilla alba. I believe that I have seen this bird near Kidwelly.

B Pied Wagtail: Motacilla lugubris. Common.

B Grey Wagtail: Motacilla melanope. Occasionally.

B Yellow Wagtail: Motacilla raii. Fairly common.

B Meadow Pipit: Anthus pratensis. Common.

* Tree Pipit: Anthus trivialis. On Mr Davidson’s list. Common in suitable localities (Dr Salter).

Rock Pipit: Anthus obscurus. Sea coasts.

* Great Grey Shrike: Lanius excubitor. Mr Jeffreys has had two or three specimens sent him to be stuffed. Mr Davidson mentions one having been seen at Ammanford.

B Redbacked Shrike: Lanius collurio. Not an uncommon summer visitor. I generally see a pair every year near Carmarthen Junction, and have also come across it near Kidwelly and in other localities. I found a nest with eggs many years ago near Penllwyn Park.

B Spotted Flycatcher: Muscicapa grisola. Rather local, but usually common where it is found. We have four or five nests every year at Oaklands. These birds destroy a large number of Butterflies, mostly Meadow Browns, but hardly ever touch the Cabbage Whites.

* Pied Flycatcher: Muscicapa atricapilla. Mr Jeffreys has had several sent to him. I have seen one near Llanwrtyd, but not in this county. Mr Powell saw one at Carreg Cennen in the spring of 1902. Very abundant among oak, alders, and birches in the upper Towy valley (Dr Salter).

B Swallow: Hirundo rustica. Common.

B Martin: Hirundo urbica. Common.

B Sand Martin: Hirundo urbica. Fairly common.

B Tree Creeper: Certhia familiaris. Common.

B Goldfinch: Carduelis elegans. Much commoner now than a few years back, in consequence of being protected under the Wild Birds Acts. I have seen large flocks near Oaklands in 1904 and 1905.

* B Siskin: Carduelis spinus. Mr Davidson records the occurrence of a small flock near Glancennen in 1892.

B Greenfinch: Ligurinus chloris. A common bird, especially in the nesting season.

* Hawfinch: Coccothrautes vulgaris. There is one in Mr Jeffreys’ shop which was shot near Laugharne about twelve years ago. Mr Davidson saw a pair at Wernoleu in 1897. Mr Powell has also seen one at Carreg Cennen.

B House Sparrow: Passer domesticus. Very common.

* B Tree Sparrow: Passer montanus. Mr Jeffreys has had a few sent to him.

B Chaffinch: Fringilla coelebs. Abundant.

B Brambling or Mountain Finch: Fringilla montifringilla. A frequent visitor in cold weather.

B Linnet: Linota cannabina. Fairly common.

* Mealy Redpoll: Linota linaria. Mr Howells (Town Porter) has caught these occasionally in the county.

* Lesser Redpoll: Linota rufescens. Mr Howells has also taken this species in Carmarthenshire. Also on Mr Davidson’s list.

B Bullfinch: Pyrrhula europea. Fairly common.

* Crossbill: Loxia curvirostra. One shot in the county about five years ago (J). A pair with a young one seen by Mr Davidson at Wernoleu in July, 1904.

B Reed Bunting: Emberiza schoeniculus. Not uncommon.

* B Corn Bunting: Emberiza miliaria. On Mr Davidson’s list.

B Yellow Bunting or Yellow Hammer. Emberiza citrinella. Common.

B Snow Bunting: Plectrophanes nivalis. One or two (J). I am told that one was caught alive in 1903 and exhibited at the Carmarthen Show. Mr Davidson also records the occurrence of flocks on Bettws mountain in 1896 and 1901.

B Starling: Sturnus vulgaris. Common.

B Jay: Garrulus glandarius. Fairly common.

B Magpie: Pica rustica. Common. I have sometimes seen this bird in flocks varying from 12 to 20 in number.

B Jackdaw: Corvus monedula. Common near towns and on rocks near the coast.

B Carrion Crow: Corvus corone. Common in country districts, where it plays havoc with the ducklings.

* B Hooded Crow: Corvus cornix.

B Rook: Corvus frugilegus. Common.

B Raven: Corvus corax. Still found in several parts of the county, although rarer than it used to be. I saw two near Pendine in June, 1904.

B Skylark: Alauda arvensis. Common in the upland districts.

* B Woodlark: Alauda arborea. Occasionally (J). Resident in very small numbers in many parts of the county (Dr Salter).

B Swift: Cypselus apus. Common.

B Nightjar: Caprimulgus europoeus. Not an uncommon summer visitor, sometimes staying as late as the middle of September. I have found two nests, one with eggs and the other with young birds in it.

* Great Spotted Woodpecker: Picus major. Seen by Mr Davidson in Glynhir woods and at Wernoleu.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: Picus minor. Occasionally (J). I saw one near Golden Grove in October, 1902.

B Green Woodpecker: Gecinus viridis. Not uncommon.

* B Wryneck: Iynx torquilla. Seen by Mr Davidson nearly every spring near Wernoleu.

B Kingfisher: Alcedo ispida. Occasionally seen, but much rarer than it used to be.

* B Hoopoe: Upupa epops.

B Cuckoo: Cuculus canorus. Fairly common.

B Barn Owl: Strix flammea. Fairly common.

B Long-eared Owl: Asio otus. Not uncommon I believe. A pair nests regularly every year at Oaklands.

Short-eared Owl: Asio accipitrinus. Not uncommon in the county. It does not appear on Mr Browne’s list, but we have one which was shot on Beaule farm, Llangunnor, in October, 1901, in mistake for a Curlew, and I have heard of several others.

B Tawny Owl: Syrnium aluco. Not uncommon.

Snowy Owl: Nyctea scandiaca. A fine specimen of this rare bird frequented the neighbourhood of Oaklands for some months in 1902 and 1903, and was constantly seen by myself and others. It used to hawk along the hedges in the evenings, and sometimes in broad daylight. I have heard of another having been seen in the county.

* B Marsh Harrier: Circus aeruginosus. Mr Browne writes in October, 1859, as follows: ‘The Marsh Harrier is not, I think, common here, as I have only known of one specimen, which was shot by my father about seven or eight years ago on Pembrey Burrows.’ Mr Jeffreys remembers one being sent to him some years ago.

* B Hen Harrier: Circus cyaneus. Mr Browne saw one on the 30th November, 1857, flying over the marsh at Kidwelly. One was sent some years ago to Mr Jeffreys, and Mr CE Morris has also, I believe, seen one in the county.

* B Montagu’s Harrier: Circus cineraceus. Note by Mr Browne: ‘1880, June. A Montagu’s Harrier shot by the Elkington’s keeper near Pembrey, and stuffed by Jeffreys. I saw the stuffed bird on the 5th July, 1880, at Jeffreys. It was evidently a male in excellent plumage, but not arrived at the full adult colouring.’ From what Mr Browne told me, I understood that he had seen one or two of these birds in recent years near Kidwelly.

Buzzard: Buteo vulgaris. Occurs in the hilly districts. One was shot on Merlin’s Hill some years ago.

B Sparrow Hawk: Accipitor nisus. Fairly common. The hen bird has an insatiable appetite for chickens. A farmer from the neighbourhood of Oaklands tells me that one day when he and some others were at work in a field near here, they saw a hawk (probably one of this species) seize something on the ground, soar up with it, and then suddenly fall. On running up to the bird they found it quite dead with a weasel lying by it. They inferred that the bird had taken up the weasel, which had bitten through the hawk’s throat, and so killed it.

* B Kite: Milvus ictinus. I am told on good authority that a pair or two still exist in the upper Towy Valley. Mr Jeffreys has had some sent to him occasionally, but they are becoming rarer every year. The following notes by Mr Browne as to its former distribution in the county are interesting: ‘1859. The Kite used to breed many years ago regularly in the Iscoed woods near the Ferry, as I have been told by some of the old inhabitants: it is now very rarely seen and it never breeds. Two were seen about two years since – one a farmer shot at and wounded, but did not succeed in killing it.’ ‘September 28, 1859. John Wilkin told me that he saw a Kite near his forge on this day.’

* B Peregrine Falcon: Falco peregrinus. This bird is, I am told, still to be seen on the coast between Llanstephan and Laugharne. It has also been seen near Carreg Cennen by Mr Davidson and Mr Powell. Mr Browne mentions in 1859 that one was shot by his father many years ago as it was flying into a wood on the banks of the Towy, between Ferryside and Carmarthen. And see note under head of ‘Merlin’.

B Merlin: Falco aesalon. In November, 1896, I was out shooting, and standing at the top of Cwmlladron wood, Llangunnor, when two hawks, one much larger than the other, flew over towards me from the wood, and began fighting high up in the air. I fired at both of them, and brought down the smaller one, together with a dead chaffinch, which was evidently what they were fighting over. The other bird got away, although hard hit. My gun was loaded with No 7 shot cartridges, as I was expecting a Woodcock. I gave the hawk to Mr Browne, who told me that it was a Merlin, and said that the larger bird was probably a Peregrine Falcon, as it was most unlikely that either a Kestrel or Sparrow Hawk would attack a Merlin in mid-air in that way. Mr Browne has recorded having seen a pair of Merlins on the Kidwelly Burrows in August, 1879. Mr Jeffreys tells me that they are rare in the county.

B Kestrel: Falco tinnunculus. Fairly common.

B Cormorant: Phalacrocorax carbo. Not uncommon.

* B Shag or Green Cormorant: Phalacrocorax graculus. Mr Jeffreys has had one sent to him.

* B Gannet: Sula bassana. Occasionally shot here (J). I am told that it is sometimes seen at Pendine. There are two in Jeffreys’ shop now (March, 1905).

B Heron: Ardea cinerea. Fairly common.

* B Little Bittern: Ardetta minuta. Mr Browne in a note dated 6th June, 1882, mentions having seen in Mr Jeffreys’ shop a Little Bittern, which had been shot in the marsh near Johnstown. Mr Jeffreys confirms this, and has told me who the man who shot it is. He also says that another specimen was shot on the banks of the Towy about thirty years ago.

* B Night Heron: Nycticorax griseus. Mr Jefferys tells me that a pair of these birds were seen near Kidwelly about twenty years ago, and that the cock bird was shot and stuffed, and was sold at a recent sale at the Post Office there. The hen bird escaped.

* B Bittern: Botaurus stellaris. Several shot in the county at Llandilo, Laugharne, &c. (J). I am told that on one occasion a man shot a pair right and left.

* B Spoonbill: Platalea leucordia. Mr Browne told me that many years ago it was occasionally shot near Kidwelly. Mr Jeffreys says that he has had one or two sent to him.

* B Glossy Ibis: Ibis falcinellus. Note by Mr Browne: ‘1900, February 22nd. Jeffreys asked me into his shop to see the skin of a bird that he did not know. The bird had been brought to him recently, and had been shot near Llangendeirne, and was now in the course of being stuffed. It proved to be a Glossy Ibis in immature plumage, the first I have ever heard of in this part of the country.’

* B Grey Lag Goose: Anser cinereus. Occasionally (J).

* B Bean Goose: Anser segetum. Occasionally (J).

* Pink-footed Goose: Anser brachyrhyncus. Occasionally (J).

* B White-fronted Goose: Anser albifrons. Fairly common (J).

* B Brent Goose: Bernicla brenta. Occasionally (J).

* Canada Goose: Bernicla canadensis. A few shot – one on the river Towy (J).

* B Hooper Swan: Cygnus musicus. A rare bird in the county (J).

B Sheld Duck or Sheldrake: Tadorna cornuta. Common on the coast.

* Ruddy Sheld Duck: Tadorna casarca. One shot at Laugharne (J).

B Mallard or Wild Duck: Anas boschas. Fairly common.

* B Shoveller: Spatula clypeata. Note by Mr Browne: ‘1897, May 24th. Saw a Drake Shoveller in the Slade on the Kidwelly Burrows. I should say from its movements that it was possibly breeding there.’ Several shot in the county (J).

* B Pintail: Dafila acuta. Not uncommon (J).

B Teal: Querquedula crecca. Fairly common.

* Garganey: Querquedula circia. One shot lately near Conwil (J). I have also heard of another having been shot in the county.

B Wigeon: Mareca penelope. Fairly common.

* B Pochard: Fuligula farina. Occasionally (J).

* White-eyed or Ferruginous Duck: Fuligula nyroca. One or two (J).

* B Tufted Duck: Fuligula cristata.

* B Scaup: Fuligula marila.

* B Golden Eye: Clangula glancion. Several (J).

* Long-tailed Duck: Harolda glacialis. There was one lately in Mr Jeffreys’ shop. It was shot near Ferryside.

* B Scoter: Oedemia nigra. Sometimes seen at Pendine.

* Velvet Scoter: Oedemia fusca. Occasionally (J).

* B Goosander: Mergus merganser. Several (J). I saw one in his shop in June, 1904.

* Red-breasted Merganser: Mergulus serrator. Occasionally (J).

* B Smew: Mergulus albellus. Occasionally (J).

B Ring Dove: Columba palumbus. Common.

Stock Dove: Columba oenas. Occasionally.

B Rock Dove: Columba livia. Sea cliffs at Pendine and near Llanstephan.

* Turtle Dove: Turtur communis. Occasionally (J).

* Black Grouse: Tetrao tetrix. In the eastern part of the county.

B Red Grouse: Tetrao scoticus. Near Pencader, Pantglas, Van, &c.

B Pheasant: Phasianus colchicus. Common.

B Partridge: Perdrix cinerea. Common.

* B Quail: Coturnix communis. In some years.

B Corncrake: Crex pratensis. Common.

* B Spotted Crake: Crex maruetta. One or twice (J). Mr Browne had one stuffed which had been shot in the county. Mr Davidson records one at Glanbrydan in 1887.

B Water Rail: Rallus aquaticus. Not uncommon.

B Moorhen: Gallinula chloropus. Common.

B Coot: Fulica atra. Not uncommon.

* B Hyacinthine, or Purple Gallinule: Porphyrus hyacinthus. Note by Mr Browne: ‘1893, September. Saw in Jeffreys’ shop, Carmarthen, a stuffed specimen of the Hycinthine, or Purple Gallinule – Porphyrus hyacinthus – which had been shot by the tenant of the farm of Llandilo Talybont in the parish of Llandilo Abercowin, Carmarthenshire. Jeffreys told me that the farmer informed him that it had been seen on the farm for several days before it was shot.’ Mr Jeffreys confirms this note.

* B Great Bustard: Otis tarda. Note by Mr Browne: ‘Bustard – one killed at Alltycadno in January, 1891.’ Four or five shot in the last three or four years, some near Ferryside (J).

* B Little Bustard: Otis tetrax. Note by Mr Browne: ‘1901, December 6. Saw in Jeffreys’ shop a stuffed Little Bustard which had been shot on Laugharne Marsh by Mr Broadwood’s keeper last month. It was a female in beautiful plumage.’ I have also seen this specimen.

B Golden Plover: Charadius pluvialis. Not uncommon.

B Ringed Plover: Aegialitis hiaticula. Kidwelly, &c.

B Lapwing: Vanellus cristatus. Common.

B Oyster Catcher: Haemoetopus ostralegus. Common on sea shores.

* B Avocet: Recurvirostra avocetta. One sent to be stuffed (J).

* B Grey Phalarope: Phalaropus fulicarius. Mr Jeffreys thinks that one of these birds has been shot near Johnstown.

B Woodcock: Scolopax rusticola. Not uncommon. The Woodcock breeds occasionally in the county, as one was shot in the Conwil Valley on an August Bank Holiday, and another was seen near St Clears in June.

* B Great Snipe: Gallinago major. Mr Browne had one which Mr Webb Jones had shot in the county many years ago. I have seen two or three stuffed specimens. Mr Jeffreys once saw one alive on Llanstephan beach.

B Snipe: Gallinago coelestris. Common.

B Jacksnipe: Gallinago gallinula. Fairly common. More abundant than usual last winter, 1904-5. Constantly occurring in small flocks of five or six.

B Dunlin: Tringa alpina. Common on the coast.

Little Stint: Tringa minuta. I once shot one near Pencader.

* B Sanderling: Calidris arenaria. Occasionally on coasts and sandy flats (Mr Davidson’s list).

B Sandpiper: Totanus hypoleucus. River banks. Common in summer.

* B Green Sandpiper: Totanus ochropus.

* B Redshank: Totanus calidris. Occasionally (J).

* B Greenshank: Totanus canesceus. Two or three (J).

* B Bar-tailed Godwit: Limosa lapponica.

* B Black-tailed Godwit: Limosa belgica.

B Curlew: Numenius aequatus. Fairly common.

* B Whimbrel: Numenius phoeopus.

* B Tern: Sterna fluviatilis. Note by Mr Browne: ‘September 3rd, 1859. I saw eleven Terns on the sands, the first I have seen the season and the first I have ever seen on the ground.’ Occasionally at mouth of river (J).

B Black-headed Gull: Larus ridibundus. Occasionally before cold or stormy weather.

Gull: Larus canus. Common.

B Herring Gull: Larus argentatus. Sea coast.

* B Lesser Black-backed Gull: Larus fuscus. A few specimens (J).

B Great Black-backed Gull: Larus marinus. Occasionally (J). I saw one or two near Pendine in June, 1904.

B Kittiwake: Rissa tridactyla. Not uncommon.

* B Pomatorrhine Skua: Stercorarius pomatorhinus. Mr Browne had a stuffed specimen, which he told me had been shot in the county.

* Richardson’s Skua: Stercorarius crepidatus. Mr Jeffreys tells me that one was shot at Ferryside about 25 years ago.

* B Rasorbill: Alca torda. Occasionally on river Towy (J).

* B Guillemot: Uria troile. Two or three shot on the Towy (J).

* B Black Guillemot: Uria grille.

* B Little Auk: Mergulus alle. One or two (J).

B Puffin: Fratercula arctica. Occasionally on Towy (J). I have seen some near Pendine.

* B Great Northern Diver: Colymbus glacialis. Occasionally shot on the Towy, but much rarer of late years.

* Black-throated Diver: Colymbus arcticus. Sometimes near mouth of river Gwendraeth (J).

* B Red-throated Diver: Colymbus septentrionalis. Very rare: one or two only some years ago (J).

* B Great-crested Grebe: Podiceps cristatus. A rare bird in the county. One was shot near Carmarthen in January, 1905, and I know of two others.

B Little Grebe or Dabchick: Podiceps fluviatilis. Rather uncommon. I saw one once on the Towy between the Town Bridge and the Railway Bridge.

* Manx Shearwater: Puffinus anglorum. Fairly common on coast (Mr Davidson’s list).

* B Stormy Petrel: Procellaria pelagica. I saw one once at Aberystwyth, but never in this county.