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EPPING FOREST.
was if I had not been in the company of a well-known
naturalist. A young bird of this species was captured
on the borders of the Lower Forest.
Golden Plover. Not uncommon in winter. A flock of
more than a hundred frequented Wanstead Park and
the fields adjoining in company with lapwings and
fieldfares in March 1883. Flocks also frequent Thorn-
wood Common. Many of the male birds showed much
black about the neck and breast.
Gray Plover. Has been found by the Roding in late
autumn. It is generally considered a strictly maritime
bird, and therefore its occurrence in the Forest is re-
markable. One procured by the late Mr. Doubleday
of Epping is preserved in the British Museum.
LAPWINGS.
Lapwing. Frequently seen in flocks about the fields near
Wanstead Park and elsewhere. Ten years ago (1874) they
used to breed on Fairmead and near the Wake Arms. I
have only observed one pair this year, but there are
some fields just outside the limits of the Forest to which
they still resort in spring.
Landrail or Corncrake. A summer visitor, nesting and
remaining till the middle of September.
Water-rail. Not so rare as is sometimes supposed. Owing
to their silence and habit of creeping along the sides of
brooks, and rarely taking to the water, they are not
often seen ; but they are sometimes very noisy in the
breeding season.
Heron. These birds come to the heronry in Wanstead Park