234 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
' It is still in Mr. Beresford's possession (38. 132). Although Hack-
ney Marshes are on the Middlesex side of the Lea, from the locality
in which it was obtained this might fairly be considered an Essex
bird.]
Family CHARADRIIDAE.
Golden Plover: Charadrius pluvialis. Locally, "Grey
Plover."
A resident, breeding commonly on many high moorland wastes in
the north and west of England, and in Scotland and Ireland, but only a
winter visitor to Essex.
After severe easterly gales,
and during hard weather,
many large flocks appear
in the inland parts of the
county, frequenting arable
fields, and low swampy
meadows, often in com-
pany with the Lapwing.
They frequently remain
until quite late. I saw a large
flock here on Apr. 1st,
1880. On Mar. 13th,
1881, many in a flock I was very close to were assuming the black
breast, and two, in almost full breeding plumage, were shot near here
by a gamekeeper on Apr. 10th, 1878.
Mr. Clarke notes (24) that " rarely a small flock " occurs at Walden.
Lindsey wrote in 1851 that it then occurred "in great abundance during the
autumn" at Harwich (27. App. 54), where it is still common in winter (Kerry).
Both Mr. Grubb (39) and King (20) say that flocks occasionally frequent the large
open fields around Sudbury in the winter. On and about May 9th, 1873, doubt-
less when on migration, many were killed by flying against the telegraph wires
which cross Wanstead Flats (29. May 17),
Grey Plover : Squatarola helvetica.
A fairly-common visitor to our coast from autumn to spring, sel-
dom occurring inland, and never in large flocks.
Mr. Hope observes that it generally arrives in Essex a little earlier than the
Golden Plover, and in 1880, Major Russell (42) observed several flocks on the
Essex coast on Aug. 14th, when all had black breasts. Mr. Bond found it (23.
39) common round Southend at the end of Aug., 1842. Mr. Buxton says (47.
94) it " has been found by the Roding in late autumn. * * * Its occurrence in
the Forest is remarkable. One procured [at Epping] by the late Mr. Doubleday,