194 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
Mr. R. W. Pethen is responsible for these counts. This species
is a menace to the other breeding species of the reservoirs, such
as the Great Crested Grebes and ducks.
The Reed-Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus schoeniclus (L.).
A fairly common resident. Increased numbers have been
noted at the time of the spring and autumn migrations.
The Meadow-Pipit, Anthus pratensis (L.).
A numerous winter resident. Present in numbers from
beginning of September to end of April. It was heard singing
at the King George Reservoir on June nth, 1932.
The Rock-Pipit, Anthus spinoletta petrosus (Mont.).
A very rare straggler, which has been recorded on several
occasions; one, October 1st, 1925; one, December 31st, 1932;
one, January 21st, February 11th and 25th, March 4th and
December 16th, 1933.
The Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava rayi (Bp.).
A common and increasing summer resident. It has bred
at least from 1905, Dr. C. B. Ticehurst having seen young being
fed on June 8th of that year. It was present in 1911, but in
very small numbers, and has since increased steadily, as many
as 39 having been counted on one occasion. It nests along the
grass-covered embankments of the reservoirs. The birds make
their appearance from the end of the first week of April, and
emigration commences about the beginning of September and
is generally completed before the end of the third week of that
month. Late date, October 8th, 1933.
The Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea cinerea Tunst.
A winter visitor, but is also probably a winter resident.
Single birds are generally seen and more rarely a few. It has
been observed in all months from August to March inclusive.
The Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba yarrellii Gould.
A common resident. The reed beds are sometimes used as
roosting places by flocks in autumn and winter. It becomes
more numerous at the period of autumn migration.
The Reed-Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus scirpaceus (Herm.).
It is a well established summer resident. It has bred since
1912, probably earlier, in increasing numbers. As an example
of the numbers, Messrs. J. P. Hardiman and C. H. Payne found