230 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
The last individual met with in the county was killed in 1879, under the
following circumstances (40. iii. 26, no, 144, 152, 252 & 296) :—On the morn-
ing of Friday, Dec. 5th, soon after daybreak, Mr. Albert Pertwee of
Woodham Ferris was " laid up " close to Hull Bridge in that parish, on the
north side and under the wall of the River Crouch, for the purpose of shoot-
ing Wild-fowl. While so stationed, he was surprised to observe a very large
bird fly leisurely across the river and over his head at a small height. Being
loaded with No. 2 shot, he fired, and brought down the bird, although but
slightly wounded. Mr. Pertwee had no idea of the species to which the bird
belonged, but brought it with him on the day of its death to Chelmsford
Market, where it was purchased by Mr. Charles Smoothy. The bird, which was
a female weighing about ten pounds, was preserved by Mr. Travis, of Walden.
On the night of the day following its death, there occurred one of the sharpest
frosts of the present century. It is now in the possession of Mr. R. W. Chase,
of Birmingham.
About the same time, several other Bustards occurred in various parts of
England. During the first few days of February, 1880, one was frequently
observed in a large turnip-field belonging to Mr. William Jonas, of West
Wickham, Cambridgeshire, just beyond the Essex border. On the 6th, after
many unsuccessful attempts, it was shot by Mr. Jonas's foreman. This bird,
(also a female), was also preserved by Mr. Travis, in whose hands I saw it.
It very closely resembled the Woodham Ferris bird (43. i. 59). Mr. Fitch
has recorded the occurrence of a third in Essex about the same time, at Man-
ningtree (44. i. v.). Mr. Fitch writes me that he did so " on the authority of
Major Russell, who told me of it, and said he hoped to get the skin. He also
told me who had it, and I believe it is quite correct, though I heard nothing
more of it. He quite believed in it, but I am not sure whether he had seen it."
I have no further information about this specimen.
Little Bustard : Otis tetrax.
This rare winter visitant to Great Britain has occurred at least
nine times in Essex.
Yarrell says (Zoological Journal, ii. 24; & 14. ii. 372) he possessed a female
killed at Harwich in Jan., 1823. Its stomach contained portions of leaves of the
white turnip, lungwort, dandelion, and a few blades of grass. He adds that
another was "killed at Little Clacton in the winter of 1824," and a third "very
recently " near Chelmsford, of which he had been informed, he says, by Mr. G,
Meggy. This latter specimen (killed on Robert Baker's farm at Writtle, during
the severe winter of 1837-38—28. ii. 229) seems to have excited much interest
at the time, as it was left by its owner at the Chronicle office, Chelmsford, for
exhibition (19. 39 & 47). It is now in the possession of Mr. R. W. Chase, of Bir-
mingham. Dr. Bree records (23. 7352) a female (still preserved at St. Clere's
Hall), shot on the St. Osyth Marshes on Dec. 17th, 1860. When first seen it
rose from among rushes and flew into some young clover. It was not at al]
wild. Dr. Bree adds : ;" Dr. Maclean tells me one was shot at Berechurch a
few years ago." A pair was shot by Mr. Eagle, of Walton Hall, Walton-on-
the-Naze, from a field of turnips and cabbages on that estate on or about Dec.
28th. 1874. They were in full winter plumage, as were also others shot
about the same time at several places on the south coast. Mr. Eagle shot
one in the morning when after game, and finding it a rarity, he went back