204
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
They had very large bills and sleek diver-like bodies. They were continually
diving which suggested the presence of a shoal of fish. It was not possible
to obtain a closer view to confirm the identification. (P.R.A., A.M.)
red-throated diver (Colymbus stellatus)
One (oiled) at Canvey Point, April 22nd, 1949. (M.J.A.)
[black-throated diver (Colymbus arcticus)]
A bird, thought to be a juvenile of this species, was seen at Abberton
Reservoir, December 16th, 1948. It had oil on its underparts and was
close inshore attempting to get the oil off. It had the webbed feet and heavy
bill of the divers but was a very plain bird with black upperparts and white
underparts. (P.R.A., A.M.)
bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
A pair at Dovercourt shingle-spit, September 20th, 1949. Typical long
up-curved bill very conspicuous. When in flight the upperparts appeared a
mottled brown. A queer low croaking whistle was uttered. Three (two
in summer plumage) at the same spot in July. The species seems curiously
uncommon in this district. (P.R.A., A.M.). Twelve at Canvey Point,
February 2nd, 1949. (M.J.A.)
black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
One at Abberton Reservoir, September 5th, 1948. Recognised by size
(between that of Curlew and Redshank), long straight bill and, when in flight,
striking white wing-bar and the rump made prominent by black edge to tail
and dark wings. The bird was shy and no note was heard. It remained
about a week. In September 1949, another was present and remained
about ten days. (P.R.A., A.M.)
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Fifty at Canvey Point, April 22nd, 1949. Twelve at Abberton Reservoir,
April 30th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
KNOT (Calidris canutus)
Nine at Lee Wick, September 13th, 1949. (P.R.A., A.M.)
American pectoral sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
At the end of September, 1949, a small wader was seen at Abberton
Reservoir. Size slightly larger than Dunlin, bill greyish black, legs pale
yellow. Head, neck and breast ash-brown, crown of head noticeably
darker, giving appearance of light stripe over eye. Pale brown of breast
sharply demarcated from almost white underparts. Feathers of back
conspicuously edged golden brown giving a spangled appearance. Rump
and tail dark in centre, paling at the edges to a much lighter colour.
Appearance identical with that of the bird of this species depicted in the
photograph in British Birds, May 1949. Call-note was a short trilling
note, more musical than that of Dunlin, and twice repeated. Record
subsequently confirmed by Mr. B. W. Tucker. (A.M.)
purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima)
One at Canvey Point, April 7th, 1949. (M.J.A.)
ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
Two birds of considerable difference in size at Abberton Reservoir,
September 5th, 1948. Both in similar plumage, black stripe down centre of
tail, buff on breast noticeable, no white wing-bar. Feathers of back con-
spicuously edged golden brown, legs greenish yellow. Characteristically
silent.
Sanderling (Crocethia alba)
Four to five at Canvey Point, April 22nd, 1949. (M.J.A.)