Pate BIRDS OF THE BLACKWATER VALLEY. 2605 
Common Scoter (Oidemia n. migra (L.)). Several between 
Bradwell and St. Peters, 14 and 16/4/22. 
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator L.). Lawling 
Creek, 5/2/22, a badly oiled male picked up, skin now in my pos- 
session, 22/10/22 fourteen, 11/2/23 four females. Bradwell, 
19/3/22 nine male and female, 14 and 15/4/22 parties of both 
sexes, 
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax c. carbo (L.)). Single birds and 
small parties up to six seen in April, Aug. and Oct. 
Meemtreaeetrested Grebe (Podiceps c. cristatus (L.) ). Bradwell 
Quay, 19/3/22 one, Bradwell 14 to 17/4/22 parties up to six 
seen each day. Lawling Creek, 22/10/22 one. 
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps g. griseigena (Bodd.) )._ Lawling 
Creek. 5/3/22 one. 
Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps n. nigricollis (Brehm.) ). Brad- 
well to Ramsey Island, 14 and 15/4/22, several pairs were on 
this stretch of the river. Some of the Grebes were in their very 
handsome breeding plumage and once came close to the shore 
giving us remarkable views. (See British Birds, vol. 16, p. 26.) 
Little Grebe (Podiceps r. ruficollis (Pall.) ). Ramsey Island 
Z5 and 17/4/22, 13/8/22. Old Hall Marshes, 14 and 16/10/22. 
Goldhanger, 15/10/22. 
Red-throated Diver ? (Colymbus _ stellatus Pontopp.). 
Lawling Creek, one 22/1/22, 5/2/22 and 5/3/22. Osea Island, 
one 11/2/23. It is highly probable that these birds were Red 
and not Black-throated, although I never got sufficiently near 
to be certain. 
Stock-Dove (Colwmba 0. oenas L.). Mundoa, 5/2/22 thirty, 
5/3/22, 10/9/22 twenty, 22/10/22 three. It is not improbable 
that the old trees here may shelter a nesting colony. Bradwell, 
19/3/22 a probable nesting place. Ramsey Island, 17/4/22. 
Ringed Plover (Charadrius h. hiaticula L.). Identified in 
Jan., Feb., March, April, Aug. and Oct. 
Golden Plover (Charadrius apricarius L.). Maldon, 22/1/22, 
some hundreds. This flock was unusually tame, the plover were 
spread over a field just inside the sea-wall and were separated 
from the observer by little more than the distance of the dyke. 
Lawling Creek, 5/2/22 many. On 14/4/22 Mr. Bayne and the 
writer had the good fortune to see a tremendous gathering of 
this species to the south of St. Peters. To estimate such a vast 
