218 
SCATTERED BIRD NOTES FROM THE 
WALTHAMSTOW RESERVOIRS. 
By JOHNSON S, JEFFREE. 
TARLING (Sturnus vulgaris). After the young have left 
the nest, the birds use the trees on the reservoir-islands 
as roosting-spots and assemble in multitudes. 
CARRION-CROW (Corvus corone). This inveterate nest-robber 
has been seen to destroy even the eggs of a swan, during the 
temporary absence from the nest of the adult bird ; Mallard’s. 
eggs are similarly destroyed and the contents devoured by the 
greedy Crows. I wage incessant war on these robbers ; during 
April and May 1922 I destroyed 19 of their nests, with 67 eggs 
and four nestlings. 
HERON (Ardea cinerea). During the war, in or about the 
year 1916, an anti-aircraft gun at Wanstead scared several 
of the birds from the heronry there, and these settled on the 
reservoir-islands and built nests ; the new colony has increased. 
in numbers each.year since, and in 1922 I counted 54 old birds 
and II nests. 
SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata). On April 8, 1922, three pairs. 
of these ducks settled on the reservoirs for a short rest, but 
left the same evening. 
TuFTED Duck (Fuligula cristata). Nests here in small num- 
bers. Numerous and large flocks visit us in winter. 
Coot (Lulica atra). Thousands of Coots visit us in winter, 
but only a few remain to breed. 
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podicipes cristatus). The first 
appearance of this handsome bird on these reservoirs was some 
twelve years ago, since which they have increased in numbers, 
at least fifty being now present. In May 1922, I counted 11 
nests: one nest was left high and dry by the lowering of the 
water-level in the reservoir, but remained intact, and the young 
were successfully hatched out. 
LITTLE GREBE (Podicipes fluviatilis). Nests in the reeds. 
Among my more interesting records of bird-visitors to these » 
Reservoirs are the following :— 
Wheatear Smew 
Waxwing Water-Rail (very rare). 
Crossbill Dotterel 
