206 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
Lea about a mile from Hoddesdon. Seven of them were shot by one gentleman
(34. 709). Mr. Buxton says (47. 98) :—
" Early in 1884, a male and three females frequented the upper pond in Wan-
stead Park for two months, in company with the Coots, and became almost as
tame as they are. The male bird left us towards the end of February, but the
females were still there on March 7th."
An adult male was shot at Ilford during the last week of 1877 (29. Jan. 5). At
Harwich, a few are seen every winter (Kerry), and a pair were shot in the harbour
on Jan, 12th, 1876 (34. 4827). Mr. Hope says that it arrives on our coasts in
October. In the winter of 1887-8, Mr. Sackett says he seldom went out shore-
shooting round Orsett without seeing several. On Feb. nth, he watched five
feeding on the edge of the tide ; three were diving, each remaining under water
for a long period, while the other two floated motionless, as if on guard. On Feb.
2nd, 1889, he " observed a party of between twenty and thirty floating on the waves
waiting for the tide to recede ; also several other smaller parties out on the river."
In August, 1888, seven young " Black Ducks " were shot on a large sheet of water,
known as " The Wade," in Steeple parish, but I have been unable to satisfy myself
that they were of this species, though it seems probable. Mr. Robert Page has a
pair, taken in his Decoy at Marsh House.
Red-crested Pochard : Fuligula rufina.
Of this very rare winter visitor to Britain, a single example only is
known to have been met with in Essex. It was killed near Col-
chester about January, 1844, and is now in the Museum of the Cam-
bridge Philosophical Society (37. iv. 40S). The female figured in
Gould's Birds of Europe was shot out of a flock of eighteen on the
Thames, near Belvedere, Erith.
Scaup : Fuligula marila.
A common visitor on our coast from autumn to spring ; seldom
met with inland.
Mr. Hope says that
it arrives on our coasts
in October. Mr.
Clarke refers (24) to
one shot at Audley
Endon Feb. 2nd, 1830,
and another (female)
shot at the same place
on Jan. 25th, 1838,
which is still in the
Collection there. At
The Roos, Saffron
Walden, a specimen
shot on the pond there
some years ago is
preserved. Edward
Doubleday wrote in
1835 (15) that it had
been killed at Harlow.
English records (44. iii. iv.) a young female shot on a pond at Theydon Garnon