ITS BIRDS
81
Little Stint. Has once at least been procured near Epping.
The specimen referred to is in the British Museum.
Gray Phalarope. " I set up a fine example of this beautiful
bird, shot by the Rev. L. Cockerell at a brook, North
Weald."—J. L. E. Another specimen was killed some
years since at Wanstead Park.
Coot. Breeds in Wanstead Park, where they used to be
numerous, but there are now very few left. They breed,
however, at Birch Hall.
Moorhen. Most abundant in Wanstead Park and most of
the Forest ponds.
Spotted Crake. Occasionally met with in the soft low-lying
WILD DUCK.
parts of the Forest, such as would be attractive to snipe.
One may be seen preserved at the house of the head-
keeper, Broad Strood Lodge.
Great-crested Grebe. " I observed a female bird on the
Wanstead basin for several days in the spring of 1883."—
A. L.
Red-necked Grebe. "In February 1877 one of these birds
remained for almost a week on the basin in Wanstead
Park. I watched it repeatedly with a good telescope.
It was in fine plumage,"'—A. L.
Little Grebe or Dabchick. A great traveller notwith-
standing his short wings. Breeds in the ponds at
Wanstead and elsewhere in the neighbourhood. Like
all the grebes, it constructs a floating nest, which is hard
to distinguish from a mass of dirty weed.
Red-throated Diver. " In January 1877 I watched one