A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE having been shot there in February, 1886, while two adults were procured in January, 1887. The only other record I have is of one seen at Elstree in December, 1896. 1 1 6. Kestrel. Falco tinnunculus. Linn. This small hawk is, I am sorry to say, being gradually exterminated in many parts of the county, though it is still common in the more open districts. There is really very little excuse for this, as although it does take young game birds, the amount of mice and other small vermin it destroys quite counterbalances any damage it does. Unless some steps are taken by landowners generally to stop their keepers killing this bird, I am afraid it also will become a thing of the past. 117. Osprey. Pandion balia'e'tus (Linn). Hertfordshire can boast of several fine pieces of water, some of which have been visited by this bird. The reservoirs at Tring have been favoured on two occasions, the first being in September, 1864, when a pair stayed there for some days : eventually on the 3Oth the female was shot, the male happily escaping. In September, 1886, two more visited the reservoirs. In the same month in 1880 a female was procured in Hatfield Park ; it obtained its food from the river Lea, and was in the neighbourhood some days before it was shot. It measured 5 feet 6 inches across the wings and 2 feet in length, and was in splendid plumage. Another specimen was killed in the parish of Great Gaddesden on September I7th, 1887. It was fired at but only winged, and was with great difficulty captured and taken to the late J. E. Littleboy for identification. It was kept alive for some six weeks, being fed on live fish, but refusing to take them when dead. It eventually died and was preserved. This bird measured 5 feet 2 inches across the wings. On the following day a male was observed fishing at Wheathampstead in the river Lea. This also was shot and preserved. 1 1 8. Cormorant. Phalacrocorax carlo (Linn.). In November, 1878, a cormorant was shot on the Tring reservoirs, where others were seen in October, 1880, and on October 3151, 1895. A young bird was picked up dead near Royston on October I5th, 1881, while on September 5th, 1885, a cormorant was seen near Watford. In March, 1886, another was shot near Park Street, St. Albans, and on November 4th, 1899, Mr. M. R. Pryor, while covert shooting near Stevenage, saw three cormorants fly over. On December 3 ist, or the following day, another went over him within gunshot. 119. Gannet. Sula bassana (Linn). Mr. Archer of Sandridge had a bird of this species which was captured alive near that place in August, 1884. The second Hertfordshire specimen was picked up also alive on September 291)1, 1885, near Brocket Hall, Welwyn. This was a young bird. Mr. M. R. Pryor also picked up a gannet alive near Weston some years ago. It was kept by him for about a week, and is now in the possession of Mr. W. A. Farr. 1 2O. Common Heron. Ardea cinerea, Linn. This species has so far as my knowledge goes no regular nesting-place in the county, although isolated nests have from time to time been found. In 1881 a pair nested near the Broadwater in Hatfield Park. It occurs of course in most parts of the county while in search of food, but these birds must come from heronries outside our borders. 121. Little Bittern. Ardetta minuta (Linn.). The first record of this bird with us occurs in Mr. Harting's book on the Birds of Middle- sex, in which he states that a specimen was obtained at Elstree reservoir in 1840. This bird became the property of the late F. Bond, and was no doubt sold with the rest of his collection on his death, but where it is now I do not know. The second Hertfordshire ex- ample was one shot on October I7th, 1884, by Mr. E. N. Beningfield, near the Cartha- gena Weir on the river Lea near Broxbourne. This bird was mounted by Gunn of Norwich. 122. Bittern. Botaurus stellaris (Linn.). Hertfordshire has few attractions to offer to this species, which probably accounts for the fact that it has not often been recorded in the county. It has however nested here on one occasion, a nest with four eggs having been found at one of the Tring reservoirs by the Rev. James Williams in July, 1849. One of these eggs is now in the possession of Professor Newton. The next record I can find is of an example now in the possession of Mr. Griffin, taxidermist, of Rickmansworth, which was obtained near there about 1865. Mr. A. H. Smith informed the late J. E. Littleboy that a bittern was shot near Staple- ford on January 3rd, 1871, while Sir John Evans mentioned one procured near Boxmoor some years prior to 1877. On January 24th, 1 88 1, a bittern in fine plumage, which measured 26 inches in height to the top of the head and 1 5 inches to the shoulder, was shot at Hoddesdon, where another was obtained during the severe winter of 1890-91. Two bitterns, which probably went into the Tring collection, were taken at Tring on November 208
