262
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
may have been a Sclavonian. A small Hawk seen on another
occasion was almost certainly a Merlin.
Hooded Crow (Corvus c. cornix (L.)). Bradwell, one in a flock
of Rooks, 15/4/22. Tollesbury, one with two Carrions, 14/10/22,
and two 16/10/22.
Rook (Corvus f. frugilegus (L.)). Rookeries at Witham and
Mundon and a small one beside St. Peters, Maldon.
Magpie (Pica p. pica (L.)). This species is well represented
in the Dengie Hundred, but in the following records the same
birds have probably been seen on different dates. Maldon,
22/1/22, 10/9/22. Mundon, four 5/2/22, 5/3/22, 10/9/22, 19/11/22,
4 and 11/2/23. Dengie, several 13/4/22. Bradwell, four 16/4/22,
one 17/4/22, two 13/8/22. Steeple, three 17/4/22, 11/2/23.
Langford, 22/10/22. Packards, 4/8/23.
Goldfinch (Acanthis c. carduelis (L.)). Four near Maldon,
27/12/21.
Tree Sparrow (Passer m. montana (L.)). Asheldam, 5/3/22.
Mundon, two 19/11/22, about twenty 4/2/23, 11/2/23. There
is a point of interest about the Mundon records, as on each
occasion the birds were seen in the same hedge in very large
flocks of Buntings and Finches. There must have been a good
supply of food in the high and thick hedge to render the birds
so stationary.
Corn-Bunting (Emberiza c. calandra (L.)). Bradwell, 19/3/22,
14/4/22. Ramsey Island 15/4/22. Steeple, 13/8/22. Mayland
Creek, 11/2/23. The distribution of this Bunting in the county
is interesting and requires further attention. While considering
this it has to be kept in mind that in Britain the Corn-Bunting
is chiefly found near the coast. Between the Thames and the
Crouch this species is scarce and I have only identified it once
in this area, but the Rev. A. Bertram Hutton, in his paper in
the Essex Review, records a nest at Pitsea in June 1901. In
my note on the Crouch I recorded one just north of South-
minster and two were heard singing on the north bank of the
Crouch, 6/8/23. The above records show that it is to be found
along the southern shore of the Blackwater, but I have had to
go north of the Colne to find this bird common.
Meadow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis (L.)). Rock-Pipit (Anthus
spinoletta petrosus (Mont.)). Investigation is required as to what
extent these species occur on our marshes in winter. There