162
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
months of visits except March, generally in small numbers. A
flock of 106, associating with a similar number of Shelduck on
Mucking Flats, 2/10/27, is worthy of mention as flocks of this
size are unusual.
Teal (Anas c. crecca L.) Bowers Marsh, one, 24/10/26 ; two,
27/11/27. Corringham Marsh, thirty, 16/10/27 ; three, 6/11/27 ;
fifty, 11/12/27 ; fifty, 15/1/28 ; thirty, 26/2/28.
Garganey (Anas querquedula L.). I had a good view of a male
on a small fleet on Corringham Marsh on May 1, 1927.
Wigeon (Anas penelope L.). Corringham Marsh, thirty to
forty, 13/3/27 ; male and female, 1/5/27 ; three, 11/12/27 ; forty,
15/1/28 ; one or two, 26/2/28. Mucking Flats, twenty-five,
15/1/28.
Shoveler (Spatula clypeata (L.)). Corringham Marsh, several,
13/3/27 ; several pairs, but nesting operations had not started,
1/5/27 ; several, 17/7/27. Canvey Island, male and female,
10/4/27 ; Shellhaven, two, 19/2/28.
Tufted Duck (Nyroca fuligula (L.)).- Dagenham Lake,
one, 7/8/26.
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax c. carbo (L.)). East Tilbury,
one, 24/7/27 ; Shellhaven, one, 28/8/27 ; Holehaven Creek, one,
19/2/28.
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps c. cristatus (L.)). Mucking
Flats, ten, 18/7/26 ; three, 13/3/27 ; two, 1/5/27 ; twelve, 6/11/27 ;
one, 15/1/28 ; one, 19/2/28 ; one, 26/2/28.
Little Grebe (Podiceps r. ruficollis (Pall.)). Identified on
Dagenham Lake, Vange Marsh and Corringham Marsh, most
frequently on the last. Tidal water records are : Hole Haven
Creek, one, 24/10/26 ; two, 13/11/27 ; two, 27/11/27.
Stock Dove (Columba anas L.). Identified during all months
of visits, generally on the marshes in small numbers varying
from one to a dozen.
Ringed Plover (Charadrius h. hiaticula L.). Identified
during all months of visits except March, April, July and October.
It was usually seen in limited numbers, the largest parties being
fifty, East Tilbury, 22/8/26, and a hundred and fifty at the same
place, 11/9/27, the latter containing a few immature birds.
These flocks may have been migrational. The species was
generally found in the immediate vicinity of the river and did