THE BIRDS OF THE LEA VALLEY RESERVOIRS. 199
eight. In addition, an adult male, possessing strong powers
of flight, remained nearly two years, being first seen on March 8th,
1924, and last on February 13th, 1926.
The Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula clangula (L.).
An irregular but probably annual winter visitor in small
numbers. It has been recorded in the years 1924, 1926, 1929,
1930, 1931, 1932, 1933 and 1934, and in all months from
December to May inclusive. Extreme dates are December 13th,
1930, and May 18th, 1932. Six is the most observed on any
one occasion.
The Long-Tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis (L.).
This duck, rare on inland waters, has been recorded on one
occasion. Messrs. J. P. Hardiman and A. Holte Macpherson
saw one on December 9th, 1932. This is apparently the first
inland record for Essex.
The Common Scoter, Oidemia nigra nigra (L.).
A male and female were identified by the present writer on
No. 4 Reservoir on March 3rd, 1929, during a spell of very cold
weather. This was the second inland record for the County.
Mr. A. Holte Macpherson saw a male and a female on the
Lockwood Reservoir on April 25 th, 1933.
The Velvet-Scoter, Oidemia fusca fusca (L.).
A rare bird inland, it has been recorded twice. The present
writer identified a female on February 16th and two females
on March 3rd, 1929. This was the first inland occurrence for
Essex. Mr. W. A. Wright and others identified a young drake
on February 20th and subsequently to April 9th, 1932.
The Goosander, Mergus merganser merganser L.
It is an irregular winter visitor in small numbers. It has
been identified in all years from 1924 to 1934 inclusive, with the
exception of 1928, and in the months of December to April
inclusive. Extreme dates are December 5th, 1925, and April nth,
1931. The largest party recorded is one adult male and thirteen
brown-headed birds on February 16th, 1929.
The Smew, Mergus albellus L.
It is a winter resident in small numbers. Prior to 1922 this
bird had not been recorded from the Reservoirs, but on
March 18th of that year one brown-headed bird appeared.