12 THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS IN ESSEX. 



Kingfisher. — The Epping keeper reports an increase. 'Slv. Buxton says 

 that there are a fair number along the Roding. A pair breeJ at Knighton 

 every year. The other reporters do not mintion them. 



Coots ha\-e, Mr. Kiissell remarks, af';er several years absence from the 

 district, re-appeared at VVanstead and Birch Hall, 



Carrion Crows ate getting very destructive at Eonghton and elsewhere. 

 The observer at Chingfjrd reports a few Bnll-finchcs " which I hardly e\er or 

 never used to see in the old days " 



The Herons in Wanstead Park h.i\-e done well ; they have 57 nests, 

 probably an exceptional number. 



Nearly all the keepers speak well of the effect of the new- 

 orders. The Theydon keeper remarks : — " Bird catchinj; by the 

 professionals from Lf)ndon is practically extinct around my beat, 

 as one is not seen now where twenty or thirty woidd be three or 

 four years ago, the police being very smart on them." The keepers 

 all commend the way in which the police are endeavouring to 

 enforce the law, but at W'altham it is stated that " on Sunday the 

 place is infested with bird catchers and 3 ouths frequent the lanes 

 bordering the forest, ruthlessly destroying every nest they can 

 find." At Loughton also the bird-catchers seem to be some- 

 what rampant, and efforts are needed to put a stop to the evil. 

 The fines inflicted are far too small ; greater rigour on the part 

 of the magistrates would do nuich good in checking the 

 incursions of the fraternity. 



Our member, INlr. C. B. Russell, JT^., the energetic hlou. 

 Secretary to the Essex Bird Society, has favoured us with an 

 advance copy of his Report for i8y8, which is accompanied by a 

 map sliowing the specially protected areas in Essex, and we 

 gladly print his inieresting notes relating to the Shore-birds and 

 Wildfowl which are the special objects of the vigilance of his 

 excellent Society : — 



" The year 1898 will be memorable for the effects of the disastrous high 

 tides. Several gulleries were spoilt, ab well as breeding grounds of wild duck 

 all round the Essex coast ; but on the other hand, large numbers of duck are 

 reported as having bred inland. It is an ill wind that blows no one any good, 

 and it seems probable that the islands and marshes lost to the farmer may 

 again become havens of refuge to the wild fowl. Such is likely to be the case 

 with Pewit Island, of which haulier gives such a deliij^htful account." 



" The Inspectors were asked by a circular letter, (i.) How the shore birds 

 did last season ? (ii ) Whether, during the past few years, there h^s been 

 any appreciable increase or decrease in the numbers of shore birds and wild 

 fowl breeding with us ? (iii.) Whether any damage was done to the breeding, 

 grounds by the Hoods last year ? 



