BIRDS OF THE THAMES VALLEY (ESSEX ONLY). 169
the confines of the spring and autumn migrations, and one can
only conclude that the species pays a brief visit to the coast,
when proceeding to and from the breeding grounds.
Considerable progress has been made with the movements
of those two closely allied species, the Rock and Meadow Pipits,
at all times a difficult question, and useful information has been
collcted regarding the arrival and departure of some of the
wintering birds, such as the Dunlin, Curlew and Redshank.
Of the less usual species which have been identified, may be
mentioned the Hen Harrier, Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked
Grebe, and Iceland Gull.
The Stour claims pride of place for wealth of bird-life, its
gatherings of Coots and Wigeon being remarkable, but, although
birds may not be so numerous on the Colne and Blackwater,
both of these possess features peculiar to themselves. The
Crouch and Thames might be bracketed together as they are
much behind the others in interest.
A total of 132 species was identified during the course of the
observations.
I have not deemed it necessary to refer to the negative
evidence which has resulted, valuable as it is, as the five papers
may be accepted as a fairly complete survey of the birds of the
coast of Essex, subject to the opening remarks.
Priapulus caudatus Lam. in Essex.
Two specimens of this little-known member of the Gephyrea, which
has hitherto not been recorded in the North Sea south of the Yorkshire
coast, were found by our member, Mr. F. J. Lambert, in semi-liquid mud
on the north side of Shelford Creek, Foulness, early in July 1928. Pria-
pulus is a cold-water form, chiefly found on the coasts of Greenland, Norway,
the Baltic, and the more northern coasts of Great Britain, and has not
heretofore been known from Essex. The specimens were identified by the
British Museum experts.
Mr. Lambert adds a warning to other investigators that it is dangerous
to attempt, unaccompanied, to wade in this knee-deep tenacious mud,
even in fishermen's thigh boots.
Editor.