132
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
improvements effected in the exhibits. The Committee will welcome
gifts of specimens, books, topographical prints, etc., relating to Epping
Forest, or illustrating its history or antiquities.
In conclusion, the Council thanks the members for the unfailing
interest shown by them in the Club's work.
NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
Buzzard in Epping Forest.—On March 12th, 1924, at 5.30 p.m., I
saw in Gillwell Park, Sewardstone, a large bird with rounded wings fly
from one oak to another. I felt certain it was a Buzzard, but could not
stay to stalk it further. On the following day, I found over 40 large pellets,
from 11/2 to 2 inches long, under the oak upon which the bird had alighted.
A few of these castings were wet and fresh, and all were in perfect pre-
servation. The voles and mice of which the pellets are chiefly composed
had made Gillwell Park a rich feeding ground for the bird. Three days
later, Mr. G. L. Bruce and his son watched a Buzzard fly over Yardley Hill
into Bury Wood. Mr. McKenzie, the Forest Superintendent, whilst riding
in the forest, saw a buzzard-like bird circling at a great height. Miss Theresa
Buxton and others have also recorded seeing it. Since no large pellets
were found after March 20th, the bird probably moved away about that
date. A. Hibbert-Ware.
Common Terns seen in March.—On March 9th, 1924, I watched a
party of about nine Common Terns hovering, diving and splashing in one
of the Walthamstow Reservoirs. This date, though unusually early, is not
unprecedented. A. Hibbert-Ware.
Titmice Eating Poppy Seeds.—In July, 1924, Great and Blue Tits
were constantly seen in my garden, ripping open the fruit heads of Shirley
Poppies in order to reach the myriads of tiny seeds within them. That the
seeds were the attraction seems clear, since there were no small insects to
be found among the poppy heads. A. Hibbert-Ware.
Marsh Tit Eating Woundwort Nutlets.—On November 7, 1923, I
watched a Marsh Tit in Bury Wood eating the nutlets of Woundwort (Stachys
sylvatica). Again, in September, 1924, I frequently saw one in my garden
hedge, busily engaged on these nutlets. A. Hibbert-Ware.
Long-Tailed Tit Feeding from the Ground.—On May 30, 1924, at
the base of a plum tree in my garden at Sewardstone, I saw a Long-Tailed
Tit hopping on the ground, apparently feeding in this unusual way. A
similar occurrence has been recorded by Mr. Glegg in British Birds.
A. Hibbert-Ware.
Well-Shrimp at Writtle.—A specimen of the Well-Shrimp (Niph-
argus aquilex m.) was found alive in April last by Mr. H. Mothersole, in
water pumped from a closed well in his garden at Writtle. The specimen
was identified by Mr. D. J. Scourfield and appears to be the first recorded
from Essex. Editor.