There is a legend from North Essex called the Flying Serpent or Dragon of Henham. The lair of this 'venamous creature' was a birch wood where it had been spotted basking in the sun.

The beast is described as eight or nine feet long and with small wings. It had large penetrating eyes, like a sheep's, and sharp, white teeth.

The first sighting was by a man riding along ' a Gentleman's way! Numerous attempts were made to slay the dragon but all of them seemed half hearted. It proved elusive, which kept the story going. A shy and docile creature, it did not do any damage. It was as frightened as it's pursurers.

An explanation put forward is that it could have been an outsize diver-bird. I think that even superstitious country would have more sense to confuse a bird with such phenomenon. Whatever it was, if it ever existed, it must have been a mighty entertainment those unruffled parts.