22
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
probably the oldest and date from at least as far back as the
latter half of the fifteenth century. The third is probably more
recent and was in use up till the time of the Dissolution. The
marks of the Abbess of Barking and the Abbot of Waltham are
probably quite as old as the first two. The other four marks
belong to the Fenland. That of Henry, Abbot of Waltham,
was with very little doubt used on the Abbey property in the
Holland Division of Lincolnshire, where the Abbot and convent
held considerable demesne lands in Leake and Wrangle, near
Boston, with right of free-warren. (The "gap" projecting
from the bill's edge is a lower mandible mark.)
Sir John Tindall, of Much Maplestead, Essex, was the second
son of Sir Thomas Tindal], of Hockwold, Norfolk (knighted
1553, viv. 1578) and inherited both these marks from his father.
Sir Thomas Golding of Belchamp St. Paul's, Essex, viv. 1571.
His father, Thomas Golding, had purchased Dunham Magna in
Norfolk in 1547 and the son sold it in 1564; it was presumably
in connection with this property that the mark was used. It
had had several earlier owners.
Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)? subspecies. Mr. W. B.
Nichols writes to me that during the winter of 1928-9 the geese
came as far up the Stour as Manningtree, even swimming amongst
the punts and boats off the quay. This was the result of severe
weather. Mr. J. Ross saw a party of six on the Blackwater at
the junction of Lawling and Mayland Creeks on 15th March, 1930.
Sheld-Duck (Tadorna tadorna (L.)). Mr. J. P. Hardiman
saw an immature bird on the King George Reservoir on
29th September, 1929. I saw this bird at the same place
on 12th October, 1929.
Garganey (Anas querquedula L.). Mr. L. H. S. Mathews tells
me that he shot a male in eclipse plumage on Fobbing Marsh
about the beginning of September, 1929.
Scaup-Duck (Nyroca m. marila (L.)). During the early
months of 1929 this duck was seen on the Lea Valley Reservoirs
on various dates. Mr. R. W. Pethen informs me that it stayed
as late as 14th April, when he saw two males and a female at
this locality.
Goldeneye (Bucephala c. clangula (L.)). About twenty alto-
gether, including two or three mature males, were identified on
the Blackwater between Mundon and Bradwell on 1st February,