A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE having been shot there in August, 1884, and two in the same month in 1886, while on August 1 7th, 1895, two were seen there, one of which was afterwards shot and turned out to be a reeve. 1 8 1 . Common Sandpiper. Tetanus bypoleucus (Linn.). This bird is a common visitor on the spring and autumn migration to many parts of Hert- fordshire, arriving about the third week in April, but only on one occasion has it been found nesting in the county. This was in 1896, when the miller at Hyde Mill near Hitchin, found a nest under the high bank of the mill sluice-pit. Mr. Latchmore, who in- formed me of this, further corroborated it, as he had often flushed the birds from the place, but had never thought of looking for a nest. 182. Wood - Sandpiper. Tetanus glareola (Gmelin). The Hon. Walter Rothschild informed the late J. E. Littleboy that an example of this species was obtained at the Tring reservoirs in August, 1886. 183. Green Sandpiper. Tetanus ockropus (Linn.). This is a fairly regular visitor to Tring on migration, and at one time frequently appeared at Ickleford near Hitchin. It has also been observed at Weston near Stevenage, Hertford, St. Albans, Radlett and Braughing. 1 84. Redshank. Tetanus calidris (Linn.). The redshank has appeared at Tring more frequently than formerly during the last two or three years, as up to the year 1898 it had only been recorded in Hertfordshire on about three occasions, but since then two or three have been seen at the reservoirs each year. It has occurred near Watford once, one having been shot in the Colne meadows in 1875 or 1876, while in June, 1891, a redshank was picked up on the Midland Railway between St. Albans and Radlett. 185. Greenshank. Tetanus canescens (Gmelin). The greenshank may be considered an annual visitor to the Tring reservoirs, as some appear there every year in the spring and autumn. The only other place in the county from which it has been recorded is Watford, where one was shot by Mr. A. Dyson in the Colne meadows in the early part of 1880. 1 86. Bar-tailed Godwit. Limosa lappenica (Linn.). In December, 1880, a bird of this species was obtained at the Tring reservoirs. 187. Black-tailed Godwit. Limosa belgica (Gmelin). A black-tailed godwit is said to have been shot at Tring in September, 1886. 1 88. Curlew. Numenlus arquata (Linn.). Whether this bird occurs nowadays oftener or not than formerly I do not know, but it is certainly the fact that there are more records of it at the present time. In May, 1882, a female was shot at Sacombe Park, while later in the year curlews were heard near Hertford. It has also been recognized at Great Berkham- sted, Elstree, Royston and Stevenage. But it is to Tring that these birds come most frequently : formerly its visits there were few and far between, but during the last few years it has appeared regularly and at times in some numbers, the largest number seen there at once being sixteen. 189. Whimbrel. Numenius pbteopus (Linn.). A whimbrel was shot during the month of July, 1 88 1, in the parish of Throcking, by Mr. John Coleman. The only other example ever obtained in Hertfordshire was procured at Buckland near Royston, on May lyth, 1883. 190. Black Tern. Hydrocheltden nigra (Linn.). This pretty bird is to be seen at Tring every year and often in considerable numbers, as many as sixty or seventy having been observed there at one time. One noticeable fact about the visits of this species is that it comes all through the summer, instead of only appearing in the spring and autumn. On April 24th, 1886, Mr. Henry Lewis saw two black terns between Park Street and Moor Mill, one of which was eventually shot and mounted by Mr. Luff of St. Albans. Mr. Benefield of Ware also informed Mr. Littleboy that he obtained six of these birds some years ago near Broxbourne, and that on May 1 3th, 1886, he observed a pair of them flying over some flooded meadows on the banks of the Stort in the parish of Gilston ; they were very tame and frequently came within a few yards of him. Mr. E. P. Thompson mentions a black tern which was obtained at Elstree reservoir about 1882 : it was sitting on a buoy to which boats were attached at the time. 191. Sandwich Tern. Sterna cantiaca, Gmelin. The only record I can find of this species in Hertfordshire is that two, which I believe passed into the possession of the Hon. W. Rothschild, were killed at the Tring reser- voirs in October, 1886. 214
