A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE 132. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). One or two pairs of this handsome duck nest regularly in the neighbourhood of the Tring reservoirs every year, the nest often being in the reeds or herbage at their margin, although it is occasionally placed in an adjoin- ing field. In August, 1882, a shoveler was killed on the river Lea near Wheathampstead, while a fine drake was accidentally killed near Welwyn on April loth, 1885, and was pre- served for Mr. G. J. Buller. 133. Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linn.). This bird is said to have occurred at Tring on several occasions, but I can only find two actual records of it there. A male was shot on February I4th, 1892, and a female on October 3rd following. The only other re- corded occurrence of this handsome species in Hertfordshire is of one which was obtained at Radwell near Hitchin in 1877. 134. Teal. Nettion crecca (Linn.). This little duck is a common visitor to Tring, and occasionally nests there ; in fact, the nest and birds mounted in the Natural History Museum at South Kensington were obtained there. It also occurs in varying numbers on Elstree reservoir. Mr. Lucas informed me that he had often seen teal at Oughton Head near Hitchin, but had never been able to ascertain whether they actually nested there. During the winter of 187879 this species was plentiful at Sacombe, while it has also been recorded at various times from Hoddesdon, Odsey and Royston. 135. Garganey. Querquedula circia (Linn.). Apparently in former times this bird was not an uncommon visitor to the Tring reser- voirs, but nowadays it seems to have quite given up going there. In March, 1 849, four males and four females appeared on one of the reservoirs and remained for some days, seven of them eventually being shot. Later in the same month seven more appeared, but only stayed for a short time. Mr. Littleboy was also informed by Miss Williams that this duck was an occasional visitor there. The only other place that I can ascertain has been visited by this bird is Bennington, where one was shot during Easter week in 1879. 136. Wigeon. Mareca penelope (Linn.). The wigeon is a frequent visitor to the reservoirs at Tring and Elstree, and to the former it sometimes comes in considerable numbers. It has also occurred at Garston and Otterspool, both on the river Colne near Watford, and in 1897 one was shot near Hitchin. 137. Red -crested Pochard. Netta rufina (Pallas). The Hon. Walter Rothschild informed Mr. Littleboy that a female of this rare duck was obtained at Tring in September, 1887. 138. Pochard. Fuligula ferina (Linn.). This duck, which is only to be found breeding in comparatively few counties in England, nests at Tring. When and how the bird first became resident there I do not know, but of late years about a dozen pairs at least may be found there every summer. It is rather a late nester, its eggs being seldom found much before the second week in May. During the winter its numbers are usually considerably increased, and it stays until driven away by the water being frozen over. This species has been obtained at various times at Garston, Hoddesdon, Weston near Stevenage, and Munden near Watford. 139. Tufted Duck. Fuligula cristata (Leach). This handsome duck has like the pochard taken up its abode at the Tring reservoirs, and although it is perhaps not so plentiful as that species several pairs nest there annually. The tufted duck is also a late nester, often not laying till quite the end of May or begin- ning of June. In 1887 a male of this species paired with a pochard and reared young at the reservoirs, where a hybrid between the two was obtained in November, 1891. Tufted ducks have been obtained at Kimpton Hoo near Welwyn, Munden, Oughton Head near Hitchin, and Hoddesdon. 140. Scaup-Duck. Fuligula marila (Linn.). The only definite records I can find of this bird in Hertfordshire are of a female shot on the Ashe near Easneye by Mr. T. F. Buxton, on January 22nd, 1881, and a specimen ob- tained at the Tring reservoirs in October, 1884. In addition to the above, there is a pair of scaups at Munden, which were killed in that neighbourhood probably between 1 840 and 1850. 141. Goldeneye. Clangula glaucion (Linn.). The goldeneye in winter often visits the Tring reservoirs in considerable numbers, but the birds that come are usually females and young birds, old drakes seldom appearing. In fact, I have only one record of an old male in full plumage being seen at Tring, the bird in question having been obtained there in the early part of 1849. The late Dr. Brett informed Mr. Littleboy that a pair of these ducks was shot in the Bushey meadows some years ago. 2IO
