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 A HISTORY OF ESSEX 215. Oyster-Catcher. Linn. Heematopus ostralegus, Locally, Olive, Olaf, and Sea-pie. A scarce resident on our coast, where it used to breed commonly, but now does so only occasionally. Fairly common as a winter visitor. 2 1 6. Avocet. Recurvirostra avocetta, Linn. Now only a rare and accidental straggler, but formerly a not uncommon summer visitor. An old record leaves no doubt that in 1700 it bred on Northey Island (Dale : History of Harwich and Dovercourt, 1730, p. 402). 217. Black-winged Stilt. Himantopus candi- dus, Bonnaterre. A very rare straggler. One was seen near Saffron Walden about the year 1820 (see Birds of Essex, p. 240). 2 1 8. Grey Phalarope. Phalaropus fulicarius (Linn.). An uncommon and irregular visitor, gener- ally when on its autumn migration. In some years it appears in numbers. 219. Red - necked Phalarope. Phalaropus hyperboreus (Linn). An uncommon passing migrant in spring and autumn. 220. Woodcock. Scolopax rusticula, Linn. A resident, breeding occasionally in suitable localities throughout the county. It is better known however as a fairly common winter visitor, much more abundant in some years than others. 221. Great Snipe. Gallinago major (Gmelin). A scarce visitor, generally when on migra- tion in autumn, though one was shot near Waltham Abbey on February 27, 1897. 222. Common Snipe. Gallinago caelestis (Frenzel). A resident, but in very small numbers, breeding on the marshes at various spots round our coast and perhaps in Epping Forest. Much better known however as a common winter visitor, appearing singly or in small parties, usually before or during hard weather. 223. Jack Snipe. Gallinago gallinula (Linn.). A not uncommon winter visitor. 224. Dunlin. Tringa alpina, Linn. Locally, Oxbird. A very abundant visitor to our coast from early autumn to late spring : rarely seen 250 inland. Non-breeding birds remain occasion- ally through the summer. 225. Little Stint. Tringa minuta, Leisler. Not uncommon on the coast when migra- ting in spring and autumn. 226. Temminck's Stint. Tringa temmincki, Leisler. A scarce straggler, seen occasionally when on migration. 227. Curlew-Sandpiper. Tringa subarquata (Goldenstadt). Not rare, especially in some years, on the coast during autumn migration. 228. Purple Sandpiper. Tringa striata, Linn. A regular though scarce winter visitor. 229. Knot. Tringa canutus, Linn. Locally, Male or Marie. A very common visitor to our coast from autumn to spring. 230. Sanderling. Calidrh arenaria (Linn.). A not uncommon visitor to our coast from autumn to spring. 231. Ruff. Machetes pugnax (Linn.). Formerly a resident breeding on our coast : now known only as a scarce passing migrant in spring and autumn. 232. Common Sandpiper, lot anus hypoleucus (Linn.). Not rare as a passing migrant in spring and autumn, but not recorded as having bred in the county. 233. Wood Sandpiper. Totanus glareola (Gmelin). A scarce visitor, seen occasionally when on migration. 234. Green Sandpiper. Totanus ochropm (Linn.). An occasional visitor, met with singly or in small parties irregularly at almost all sea- sons of the year, most frequently on the coast but occasionally inland. 235. Redshank. Totanus calidris (Linn.). An abundant resident on our coast, breed- ing in all suitable localities among the marshes and saltings, but rapidly decreasing, owing to persistent 'egging.' Its numbers are largely increased in winter by arrivals from elsewhere. 236. Spotted Redshank. Totanus fascus (Linn.). A rare visitor, seen occasionally when on migration.