ENTOMOLOGY OF EPPING. 291 



Grey-lag Goose {Anser palusiris), have been killed at Harlow, 

 and the Whimbrel {NuDienius Plifsopus) at Sewardstone ; the 

 former place being about six miles north of us ; the latter, 

 about the same distance to the south. 



The five last birds in my list in no wise belong to us, and 

 must have been driven inland by stress of weather. The 

 Tern was killed flying over some large old gravel pits, which 

 were full of water; the Shearwater was picked up dead in a 

 field near the town ; the three species of Gulls were all met 

 with, in a very exhausted state, after long stormy weather. 



Of the species of Hawks contained in my list, two only are 

 at all common here; namely, the Sparrow-hawk and Kestril. 

 The Hobby is very rare. The Merlin is merely a visitant in 

 the autumnal months, and that very rarely. I only know of 

 one having been killed here, and that a young female. The 

 Buzzard and Kite are now extinct, (thanks to the game- 

 keepers) ; but the former I have seen within four or five years. 

 Previous to that time I have very often watched them soaring 

 high in the air, over the Park-hall and Hill-hall woods. They 

 feed chiefly on small quadrupeds, toads, frogs, and insects ; 

 but a toad is their most favourite dish. 



Hirundo riparia does not breed here. 



Merula torquata. Seen only at the time of their equatorial, 

 or polar migrations. 



Salicaria arimdinacea. One specimen shot at a large pond 

 near the town. I am not aware of its being found near any of 

 the rivers around us. It is common at Sudbury. 



Motacilla Boarula. A winter visitant. I saw this bird in 

 June, in the Vale of Llangollen, and near Snowdon. 



Fringilla Montifringilla. An occasional visitant at the 

 time of their spring and autumn migrations. The bill of this 

 bird becomes nearly black in summer. This change is not 

 uncommon amongst this tribe of birds. 



The Grosbeak has a pale whitish bill in winter ; in summer 

 it is of a deepish lead colour ; so also has the Chaffinch. 



Carduelis spinus. An occasional visitant. 



Coccothraustes vulgaris. This interesting bird is very 

 common here, though rarely to be seen, save by a practised 

 Ornithologist, from its shyness. In the winter it visits our 

 gardens, to feed on the fallen stones of plums, bullaces, or 

 laurel, which it dexterously cracks with its powerful bill. 



