98 A. F. CEOSSMAN A LIST OF 



one being procured there during the winter of 1895-96. In 

 August, 1896, a bird of this species was picked up dead at Offley. 



164. Little Crake [Porzana parva). — A bird of this species is 

 said to have been obtained at one of the Tring Reservoirs on 

 5th January, 1887. 



165. Baillon's Crake {Porzana Bailloni). — A specimen of 

 Baillon's crake was shot in the marshes near Cheshunt on 24th 

 October, 1891. 



166. Water-Rail {Rallns aqiiaticus). — Not uncommon in the 

 winter in suitable localities, and probably breeds at Tring. 



167. MooE-HEN [Gallinula chloropus). — Resident and common. 



168. Coot {Fiilica atrd). — Resident and common at Tring. 



169. Great Bustard \Otis tarda). — According to Willoughby 

 and Ray this bird formerly frequented Royston Heath, and no 

 doubt it was also found on the vast open fields along the north 

 and north-west boundaries of Hertfordshire. The only other 

 record that I can obtain of the great bustard in this county is 

 the statement that about the beginning of this century one appeared 

 in the neighbourhood of Royston, and that although the whole 

 country turned out intent on its destruction, it escaped. 



170. Stone-Curlew [(Edicnemus scolopax). — Although formerly 

 far from scarce in the north and north-west of Hertfordshire, this 

 species is gradually diminishing, and very few pairs are now found 

 nesting in the county. 



171. Dotterel {^Eudromiiis mormelbis). — This bird has greatly 

 decreased in the numbers which visit this county on their way 

 north and on their return journey, though small trips annually 

 make their appearance in the district between Hitchin and Royston. 



172. Ringed Plover [AigiaUtis hiaticula). — This bird is an 

 habitual visitor to the Tring Reservoirs at all seasons of the year, 

 though only in small parties. It probably also visits Elstree 

 occasionally, and it is a frequent visitor to the Royston district. 



173. Golden Plover {Charadrius pluvialts). — An annual winter 

 visitor, though in varying numbers. 



174. Grey Plover {Sqnatarola helvetica). — A specimen was 

 obtained at Tring in March, 1885, and in the spring of 1893 

 a female which had come in contact with the telegraph-wires was 

 picked up near Royston. 



175. Lapwing {Vanelhis cristatus). — Resident. Its numbers are 

 greatly increased in the winter. 



176. Oyster-Catcher {Rcematopus ostralegiis). — In April, 1866, 

 a bird of this species was shot at Elstree Reservoir, where another 

 was shot in February, 1868. One was shot at Tring on 24th 

 September, 1897. 



177. Grey Phalarope {Phalaropiis fulicarius). — In the seventies 

 a grey phalarope was shot at Grove Mill, near Hitchin, by 

 Mr. Latchmore, in whose possession it now is. In October, 1885, 

 one was shot at the Tring Reservoirs, in 1891 four were obtained 

 there in the same month, and another was shot at Chiltern Green 

 in November. 



