Marton Mere, situated in the township indicated by its name, was formerly a lake of no inconsiderable extent, but drainage and the accumulation within its basin of sediment have reduced it to its present comparatively unimportant dimensions. Traces of the more extensive boundaries of the sheet of water in former days are still discernible along its banks, and at one time, it is stated, the wheel of a water-mill near to the village of Great Marton, was turned by a stream from the mere. The right of fishery in the lake, for such it was in the earlier periods, was the subject of legal contest in the reign of Edward III., and in 1590 John Singleton, of Staining Hall, held the privilege. There are few districts of similar area which can boast so many and such interesting varieties of the feathered tribes, either natives or visitants, as the Fylde. Some of the rarest sea-fowl are occasionally seen along the coasts, while the fields and hedgerows abound with most of the melodious songsters of our island. Amongst the number of both land and sea birds which have been observed in the neighbourhood, either during the whole year or only in certain parts of it, may be mentioned the following:— ORDER—RAPTORES OR RAPACIOUS BIRDS. FALCONIDÆ OR FALCON FAMILY. Tinnunculus Alaudarus Kestrel Common Accipiter Nisus Sparrow Hawk Common Circus ceruginosus Moor Buzzard Very rare Strix flammea Barn Owl Common Otus vulgaris Long-eared Owl Common Otus brachyotus Short-eared Owl Common ORDER—PASSERES OR PERCHERS. HIRUNDINIDÆ OR SWALLOW FAMILY. Hirundo rustica Common Swallow Common Cotyle riparia Sand Martin Common Chelidon urbica House Martin Common LUSCINIDÆ OR WARBLER FAMILY.