196 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
food supply at the reservoirs. Smaller parties are seen in
April and May.
The Swift, Apus apus apus (L.).
Many frequent the reservoirs for feeding purposes. It becomes
particularly numerous during the second half of July, when
emigration is commencing. The series of early dates is of
interest: April 23rd, 1922; April 22nd, 1923; April 18th, 1925
(earliest date for Essex); April 20th, 1929; April 25th, 1931:
and April 19th, 1932. A late date is August 31st, 1924.
The Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis ispida L.
A not uncommon resident, breeding in the banks of the
islands, etc. On March 24th, 1928, Mr. J. S. Jeffree showed
me a perching place of a Kingfisher at the Pumping Station of
the Metropolitan Water Board at Lea Bridge. On a large
iron main was a remarkable collection of pellets, composed of
the remains of fish. There was also much excrement on the
adjoining grass. The position is only a few yards from Lea
Bridge Road, a very busy thoroughfare.
The Common Heron, Ardea cinerea cinerea L.
A numerous resident. The reservoirs shelter one of the
Essex heronries. This is situated on the more easterly island
of No. 5 Reservoir. The nests are built on low trees or bushes.
During their earlier attempts to nest the Herons were much
interfered with by Carrion Crows, but nesting was proved in
1914, in which year a nest was found from which young had
flown on June 14th. Eleven nests were counted in 1922, fourteen
in 1924, nine in 1927, five in 1928 and forty-seven in 1934.
The last mentioned count was made on June 4th and Mr. R. W.
Pethen, who participated, assures me that he is satisfied that
all the nests had been used that season ; seventy-six birds were
seen to leave the island. It is stated that in 1933 a pair nested
on an island in No. 3 Reservoir. Over fifty Herons have been
counted on various occasions.
The Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber antiquorum (Temm.).
Mr. W. A. Wright informs me that he saw one at the King
George Reservoir on July 14th and 15th, 1934.
The Mute Swan, Cygnus olor (Gm.).
A resident. A few pairs, although derived from domestic
stock, breed annually in a feral condition. At times, generally