260 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
yacht. He told me that he had sent off from Maldon to London
upwards of two tons of geese." This statement is attributed
to Mr. Thomas Kemble, of Runwell Hall. The author of this
interesting guide cites instances of the "authentic performances"
of the gunners. "Charles Hipsey of Maldon once shot 75
widgeon at one shot, and 12 to 15 more were picked up by other
punters. . . . John Basham of Maldon has the gun with
which Girton of Tollesbury once bagged 50 coots at a single
shot. Basham himself bagged 288 Oxbirds (Dunlin) at a single
shot from a flock settled on the ice, and the gulls and crows took
several dozen besides. Harry Handley of Maldon once shot 432
Oxbirds (Dunlin) in two successive shots in Stansgate Bay.
John Basham, junr., of Maldon, shot 108 Marl (Knots) in one
shot out of a flock resting on the mud flats near Bradwell Chapel.
Charles Hipsey of Maldon shot 320 Knots in one shot, just as
many birds as there were shots in his gun (1/2lb. A.A. shot)."
Enormous "bags" of black geese might be recorded. In
"January, 1871, 14 guns shot 471 birds at once ; 32 guns bagged
704 on another occasion, and 18 guns bagged 360."
In spite of the fact that such feats are [happily—Ed.] not likely
to be equalled to-day, the results of my visits show that the Black-
water still holds out attractions to those interested in birds.
By comparison the sister estuary, the Crouch, is tame, birds of
most kinds being much less numerous. It is difficult to under-
stand why there should be such a marked difference between
the two rivers, which are within easy walking distance of each
other. In connection with this it may be stated that the Black-
water has a greater extent of shallows than the Crouch, and this
may have some influence on the feeding of the birds. In the
writer's experience the Blackwater is the most interesting district
for winter birds within the same distance of London.
My survey of the district was effected chiefly by day visits
from London and Maldon was used generally as a step off, return
being made sometimes from this station, or on other occasions
from Southminster, as the light permitted. On one occasion
I was overtaken by darkness with about two miles of high and
bad sea-wall to traverse, an experience to be avoided. To work
the more distant points round Bradwell and Tollesbury, a week-
end was spent at each place. At the former I had the assistance
of my friend, Mr. C. S. Bayne, and we were well satisfied with