RALLIDAE—COOT.
227
1832, and another at Debden on Aug. 17th, 1833. One frequented the Cam,
where it flows through the lawn at Audley End, for several weeks early in 1881,
and Mr. Travis knew of a nest at Audley End, many years ago. Here, however,
it very rarely bred until the last two or three years, when several broods have
been reared there annually. About Jan. 1st, 1882, one was caught near Sampford
and kept alive several days. In Wanstead Park, Mr. Lister says (40. ix. 64) they
" bring up two broods every year, but [these] appear to leave us in late summer."
Mr. Buxton also says (47. 97) it " breeds in Wanstead Park, where they are nu-
merous, and have become remarkably tame since the public have been admitted."
Some idea of the size of the enormous flocks which, in years gone by, used to
appear during winter on our coasts may be gathered from the fact, asserted by Mr.
John Basham, of Maldon, that about fifty years ago a gunner named Girton,
of Tollesbury, bagged no less than fifty by a single discharge of a gun now
owned by Mr. Basham.