248
THE BIRDS OF ESSEX,
Island. Mr. Kerry observes that round Harwich " it has been rather rare of late
years. One was shot there, however, on Nov. 12th, 1888 ; another on Dec.
9th, 1889. Yarrell says (14. ii. 666) that various authorities speak of its occur-
rence in winter on the coast of Essex and other counties.
Knot: Tringa canutus. Locally, " Male " or " Marle " (recte
Merle) ; " Red-Sandpiper."
A common winter visitor to our coast, often appearing in August
and remaining till spring. At migration time, specimens are occasion-
ally met with
inland.
Of the " Red
Sandpiper," which
seems to be this
bird in summer
plumage, Mr. Par-
sons makes fre-
quent mention
(22). He speaks
of meeting with
them on and near
the shore during
winter, though his
notes do not give
any indication of
the dates of their
arrival and depar-
ture, except that he
often met with
them during
August. On June
6th, 1839, he saw "one in perfect winter dress, but the new stumps just
appearing." He occasionally met with them in open fields a little way inland,
sitting in a very dense flock. Pennant, who also calls it the "Red Sandpiper,"
says (ii. 394) : " Birds of this species have appeared in great flocks on the coast
of Essex, on the estate of Col. Schutz." Mr. Bond (23. 40) met with it commonly
at Southend early in Sept., 1842. Mr. Clarke speaks of it (24) as " now and then
a straggler " to the Walden district, while around Sudbury, King described it (20)
in 1838, as " not uncommon." Round Harwich it is very common during the
period of autumn migration, but is never seen there on the return journey in
spring (Kerry). Mr. Hope observes that they are very common in vast flocks on
our coasts during the winter, generally arriving about Sept. 24th, and going north
in May. Newman records (23. 3116) a pure white specimen shot at Maldon on
Feb. 13th, 1851. It is now in the collection of Mr. F. Bond (37. iii. 418). The
largest bag of these birds I ever heard of was made by Mr. John Basham, jun., of
Maldon, who informs me that, some 20 or 30 years ago, he and another gunner
fired jointly at a flock resting on the mud-flats near Bradwell Chapel, and his
companion's gun missing fire, he bagged to his own gun no less than nine dozen,
which they sold at 4s. per dozen, sharing the proceeds.