OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE IN 1887 . 
81 
circumpolar bird, breeding in Iceland and throughout Scandinavia. 
It is a wonderfully expert diver, and it is said that it can remain 
for two minutes under water. 
The goosander completes my catalogue of birds new to our 
county. I will now direct attention to other occurrences of 
interest connected with the Tring district. Mr. Rothschild informs 
me that the following birds have been found to nest at or near the 
reservoirs:—- 
Reed-Wareler (.Acrocephalm streperus). 
Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla sulphur ea).— The nesting of the grey 
wagtail is worthy of special notice. It has always been regarded 
as a winter visitor, arriving in Herts about the beginning of October 
and leaving in February or March. The fact of its nesting at the 
reservoirs involves the conclusion that it occasionally becomes a 
resident in our county. The nest was discovered under an over¬ 
hanging ledge; it was built upon the clay and well concealed 
behind grass, etc. The eggs are preserved. 
-Yellow Wagtail {Motacilla Ran). 
Reed-Bunting (Ember iza Schceniclus). 
Kingfisher (Alcedo Ispida). 
Heron ( Ardea cinerea). —Herons have occasionally nested in the 
fir-trees within Tring Park. 
Bittern ( Botauris stellar is). — Miss Williams, of Tring, has 
kindly written informing me that a bittern’s nest, with four eggs, 
was taken on the reservoirs by her father, in July, 1849. 
Woodcock ( Scolopax rusticola). —In my last report I recorded 
three instances of the nesting of the woodcock, near Hoddesdon. 
I am glad to add that woodcocks have once or twice nested in 
Tring Park. 
Ringed Plover (JEgialitis Miaticula). —James Street, the keeper, 
appears to be quite certain that the ringed plover nests at the 
reservoirs. He has never been able to find the eggs, but he has 
frequently seen very young birds near the water. 
'Water-Rail (Rallus aquatieus). 
Coot (.Fulica atra). — About 200 pairs breed every year. 
Black Tern ( Hydrochelidon nigra).- —It is confidently believed 
that the black tern nests somewhere in the district. The eggs 
have never been found, but about 20 pairs of birds remained 
throughout the summer, and a very young one was shot by Mr. 
Rothschild early in last August. 
Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). —This beautiful bird breeds 
abundantly. In 1884 there were 75 nests; in 1885, 45; in 1886, 
43; and last April, when the keeper furnished me with this 
information, he stated that there were 115 birds then on the 
reservoirs. 
Dabchick (Podiceps minor). 
Teal (Nettium crecca). —A teal’s nest, with five eggs, was found 
by James Street under a willow stump close to the reservoirs on the 
25th of April, 1887. It is at present exhibited, together with the 
old birds, in a case at the South Kensington Museum. 
VOL. v.—PART III. 
6 
