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THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
(34-32) "a perfectly white variety," probably a female, on July 31st, 1864.
On February 15th, 1880, I saw a cream-coloured specimen in a flock here.
Mr. Hope informs me that he saw a white variety last year. At Orsett there
is a stuffed specimen with a white tail (Sackett). Mr. Stacey has a similar
specimen shot at Dunmow. Mr. Scruby informs me of a beautiful white
specimen shot at Stondon Place several years ago. The same gentleman has a
" grey and white " specimen shot by Mr. Thurgood at Toothill on Feb, 27th, 1887.
Mr. J. F. T. Wiseman of The Chase, Paglesham, has two pied specimens, shot there
within the last year or two. Mr. R. Cross' shepherd shot a pure white specimen
at St. Osyth on June 2nd, 1873 (29. June 14).
Rose-coloured Pastor : Pastor roseus.
A rare and occasional visitant to Britain. I have only heard of
one or two specimens in Essex.
Mr. E. J. Tuck records (23. 5319)
that " a very fine specimen, with a
good crest, and the beautiful rose-
colour on the back, &c, very pure,"
was shot at Strethall about the
middle of September, 1856. In
August, 1887, one was killed at
Kelvedon by Mr. Frank Osborn of
that place. It was first seen early
in the morning, and in the after-
noon it was observed again feeding
in company with some Starlings on
mulberries, when it was shot. It
was preserved by Mr. Rose of Cog-
geshall for Mr. Osborn who still
has it (Spalding). Mr. Hope writes
"Col. Russell had one shot at Maldon by Gabriel Clarke. One was reported to
have been seen at Havering." Mr. Fitch informs me that on Sunday and Monday,
Dec. 29 and 30, 1889, a bird having a crest and in every way answering to the
description of this species, was observed to frequent the lawn of Mr. Belsham's
garden at Heybridge, in company with Starlings. As it was seen by several
different observers there seems no reason to doubt the correctness of the identifi-
cation. Mr. Fitch adds : " Some twenty years ago, a similar bird was shot in the
adjoining garden, then the late Mr. Stephen Cross's. My uncle, the late Mr.
Thos. Pannell, also shot one some twenty-five to thirty years ago, near Sturmer
Mere. It is now in the possession of another uncle of mine, Mr. A. G. Fitch, of
Wixoe Mill."
Family CORVIDAE.
Chough : Phyrrhocorax graculus.
A scarce, very local, and fast-decreasing resident in Britain. It
is now chiefly confined to the high sea-cliffs on the west and south-
west coast of England. It breeds nowhere in this part of England,
so that any individuals which occur in our county can only be re-