Ornithological rambles in Sussex: with a systematic catalogue of the birds of that country, and remarks on their local distribution

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THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BY

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

4

A.E.K.

I r inte o.
HER.O1T ALI3-HTING- ON IT S NEST.

jnulmaaael K Vli altori .
foye, 27.

ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES

IN

SUSSEX;

WITH

A SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE

OF

THE BIRDS OF THAT COUNTY,

EEMABKS ON THEIB LOCAL DISTRIBUTION.

BY A. E. KNOX, M.A., F.L.S., &c.

SECOND EDITION.

LONDON:

JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW.
M.DCCC.L.

M366676

LONDON : .

PRINTED BY E. NEWMAN, DEVONSHIRE STREET,
BISHOPSGATE.

, iy

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

IN sending forth a second edition of his Orni-
thological Rambles, the author has not thought
it necessary to make any essential alterations in
the body of the work, but the interval which has
elapsed has afforded him opportunities of adding
notices of a few rare birds which had not bee»
previously included. These will be found in their
proper places in the Catalogue.

The call for a new edition of a book which
may be said to be in a great measure of a
local character — within a few months after its
first appearance — is a very gratifying token of
approbation, and the author is almost tempted

IV PREFACE.

to hail this circumstance as an evidence that the
subject has not been damaged in public favour
by his adoption of it.

Vos eritis judices

Laudine an vitio duci factum id oporteat."

Petworth, Feb. ZQth, 1850.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

THE following letters were originally addressed
to a friend, residing beyond the Tweed, and owe
their appearance in a collected form to a sub-
sequent suggestion that they might become a
popular contribution to the Fauna of Sussex,
possessing some attractions for the sportsman as
well as the ornithologist.

The author cannot, however, conceal from him-
self that, having on the present occasion limited
the sphere of his observations to a single county,
it would be vain and presumptuous of him to
expect that they should prove as interesting to
the general reader as to those who, from local

VI PREFACE.

circumstances, might be supposed to feel some-
what of an enduring interest in such records, or
as to an old and intimate friend, in whom " auld
lang syne " and congeniality of tastes had ensured
a ready listener.

But to take a wider view of the subject. It
will be admitted that the geographical position
of Sussex, as a southern maritime county, with
its long line of sea-coast, is favourable for obser-
vations on the migratory birds, while the remark-
able variety of soil and scenery contained within
its limits appears to have a considerable influence
on the local distribution of many species ; but
without indulging in speculative theories, or at-
tempting to follow up the various links in the
chain, geological, botanical, and entomological,
the author still ventures to hope that he has been
able to throw some little light on these matters :
that a few sparks may be struck from the following
pages, which hereafter in abler hands may be
fanned into a flame, and more fully elucidate this
mysterious and interesting subject.

PREFACE. Vll

With regard to himself he may perhaps be
allowed to say, that an ardent love of Nature has
throughout life been his ruling passion, and the
study of her works his greatest delight ; while a
residence of many years on the coast, as well
as in the interior, of Sussex, has afforded him
advantages which do not fall to the lot of every
local observer.

The illustrations are taken from drawings made
on the spot by the author. The " Heron alight-
ing on its Nest," as depicted in the Frontispiece,
was sketched by him while concealed among the
upper branches of an adjoining tree, under the
circumstances narrated at page 27, and is a faith-
ful representation of the attitude of the bird at
that moment.

Although from the desultory nature of these
papers he has sometimes thrown off the restraint
which a rigid adherence to systematic order might
have imposed upon him, yet with the view of
imparting to the work a more scientific character

Vlll PREFACE.

than it would otherwise possess, and at the same
time increasing its utility for purposes of reference
and comparison, the arrangement observed by
Mr. Yarrell in his admirable work on British
Birds, and the nomenclature adopted by that
distinguished zoologist have been adhered to in
the Catalogue, as appearing to possess in the
highest degree the advantages of correctness and
simplicity.

. i
That this little volume may tend to awaken a

taste for similar pursuits in some who have hitherto
passed unobservant along the shores and through
the woods of this interesting county, and perhaps
serve to assist in the diffusion of those humane
and enlightened views so ably advocated by Mr.
Waterton in his ' Essays on Natural History,' is
the sincere wish of

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS

Page.

Preface to the Second Edition ... . iii
Preface to the First Edition ^ . ^.. . ; . v

LETTER I.

Introductory . . . . . . 1

LETTER II.
Visit to the Heronry at Parham . . . 14

LETTER III.

Golden Eagle and Sea Eagle , . • i . . 36

LETTER IV.

The Osprey . . . . . . V 4l

LETTER V.
The Kestrel or Windhover . . . . 52

LETTER VI.

The Sparrowhawk . . . " . . » 65

LETTER VII.

Migration of Small Birds . . : . . 75

LETTER VIII.
Harriers and Owls 87

X CONTENTS.

Page.

LETTER IX.

Hooded and Carrion Crows . . . . 97

LETTER X.

The Peregrine Falcon and Hobby . A . 105

LETTER XL
The Merlin . . . .... 116

LETTER XII.

Lark-catching near Brighton . . .' . 126

LETTER XIII.
The Kite and Buzzard . . . . . 134

LETTER XIV.
The Petworth Ravens 147

LETTER XV.

Feathered Game and Shooting in Sussex . . 161

SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE, &c. . . ',..'. 183

ILLUSTRATIONS.

HERON ALIGHTING ON ITS NEST ... Frontispiece.
THE OSPREY — RUINS OF AMBERLEY CASTLE. . 47
BE ACHY HEAD IN THE BREEDING-SEASON . 107

THE RAVEN'S CLUMP, PETWORTH PARK . .155

ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES, &c.

LETTER I. — INTRODUCTORY.

Early Influences and Recollections — Sussex — Sketch of
the County — The Weald — Its Character and general
Aspect — Sandstone Formation — Picturesque Scenery
— The South Downs — Maritime Tract — Chichester
Harbour — Selsey Bill — Pagham — Unfrequented
District— Hard Weather— Wild Fowl Shooting-
Coast to the eastward of Brighton — Chalk Cliffs —
Beachy Head — Pevensey Bay — Wilderness of
Shingle — An Oasis in a Desert — Principal Rivers in-
Sussex.

MY DEAR E.

I have great pleasure in complying with your
request ; the very idea recalls the memory of
olden time ; already am I carried back in imagina-
tion to those scenes where, besides the instruction
exclusively derived from Alma mater, we took
lessons in practical Ornithology under the aus-
pices of dame Nature herself. Again, as in by-
gone days, are we wandering together over the

B

2 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

swampy flats of Port Meadow, or exploring the
sedgy banks of the Isis near Sandford Lasher, al-
most forgetting our hastily-moored skiffs in a pro-
longed search after the nest of the water-hen, or
the airy fabric of the reed-warbler. Once more
are we seated beneath the old rook-trees in Christ
Church meadow, and congratulating the dark pro-
prietors of the village overhead that their fortu-
nate settlement is within the protective influence
of academic laws. I have a lively recollection,
too, of our delightful correspondence, when, in
return for my rough notes from the west of Ire-
land, I received such an interesting account of
your neighbourhood. But, to turn from retrospect
to reality, I rejoice to think that our intercourse
has only been interrupted, not annihilated, by the
lapse of years.

You are quite correct in supposing that my pre-
dilection for my old pursuits is as strong as ever.
It is true that I no longer listen to the roar of the
Atlantic, as when I used to indite ornithological
epistles to you from the wilds of Erris, but the
influence of early habits has survived every vicis-
situde of time and place.

Tha eagle and the grouse, indeed, are gone ;
and to the dark, misty mountains, and rock-bound
coast of Mayo, have succeeded the bright Downs,
the wooded valleys, and the smiling shores of

RECOLLECTIONS. 3

Sussex. It is true that such countless myriads of
water-birds are not found here during the summer
months as at Down-Patrick Head,* or on the
Stags of Broadhaven,t but certain members of the
great natatorial division are met with during the
breeding-season on different parts of the coast
between Brighton and Hastings, and several of the
rarer species occur during the winter, occasionally
indeed in such numbers as to furnish ample occu-
pation, and many a valuable acquisition, to the
sportsman and to the collector.

But although Sussex cannot pretend to vie with
the distant shores of the Sister Island, or the
north of Scotland, in the number of hyperborean
visitors, there is perhaps no portion of the United
Kingdom that contains a greater variety of the
summer birds of passage. A glance at the map
will suffice to show you that our proximity to the
continent, and the long line of shore from Kent to
Hampshire, are favourable to an immigration of
those feathered tribes, which, having passed the
winter in the olive groves of Spain, or on the

* A lofty, isolated rock, near the mainland, on the
precipitous coast of Mayo. A regular Babel of sea-birds
during the month of M^ay.

f A cluster of small islands outside the natural haven of
the same name.

B2

4 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

sunny plains of Africa, once more, when

" Solvitur acris hyems grata vice veris et Favoni,"

turn their faces to their native land, and revisit
the green hedgerows and peaceful valleys of Eng-
land: but you can hardly be prepared to take
such an interest as I would fain inspire you with,
in certain ornithological details to be recorded
hereafter, unless you have previously some idea of
the more prominent geographical divisions of Sus-
sex, the general aspect, and the local scenery of
each. I propose, therefore, to devote the remain-
der of this letter to such an introductory sketch as
may in some degree tend to supply the deficiency.
Sussex, one of the southern maritime counties
of England, is about seventy- six miles in length,
and nearly thirty in its average breadth. The
weald, the limits of which have been restricted
by some geologists to a portion of the eastern
division, may, in a more popular sense, be said to
constitute the great clay valley stretching along
the entire county — including the primaeval forest
of Anderida — commencing near Harting Combe,
on the borders of Hampshire, and gradually in-
creasing in breadth as it advances in a south-east-
erly direction towards the county of Kent. Its
appearance is that of a generally flat, but occa-

SUSSEX — SKETCH OF THE COUNTY. 5

sionally undulating, district, overgrown with brush-
wood and masses of trees, among which the oak
predominates in a remarkable degree, varied with
patches of cultivated land, which, during the
course of years, have been reclaimed from the sur-
rounding forest.

To the south of this tract the country rises
into considerable eminences, of great picturesque
beauty, and even romantic character, where their
northern escarpment, which is abrupt, sudden,
and densely wooded, dips into the valley of the
weald.

Still further to the south, a wide belt of sand
intervenes between this and the Downs, and, like
all the geological formations contained within the
county, appears to cross it diagonally from north-
west to south-east. Indeed, the great variety in
the character and scenery of these districts is very
remarkable, and cannot fail, especially in the
western division, to have struck the most unob-
servant traveller from the metropolis to the coast,
by way of Petworth, Midhurst, or Arundel.

As he journeys southward from the Surrey hills,
he sees stretched beneath him the wide and
densely-wooded valley of the weald, a region of
stiff clay and forests of oak, extending through
the entire county. After traversing this district,

B3

ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

where he would be more inclined to fancy himself
in the heart of Germany than within forty miles
of London, he reaches a more elevated country,
where highly-cultivated farms and an occasional
elm tree denote the presence of a richer soil ; and
this is again succeeded by a wide tract of ferrugi-
nous sand, assuming the most striking forms of
hill and valley, or spreading into open heaths.
Nothing can exceed the picturesque beauty of
certain portions of this district; eminences clothed
with heather and gorse and crowned with Scotch
fir and holly, enclose valleys intersected by clear
running brooks, whose course, here rapid and
noisy, rushes over rocks and ridges of sandstone ;
there taking a sudden turn, and stealing away
in a deep and silent current, half undermines
the overhanging banks, ungratefully exposing the
gnarled roots of the old oak trees, that seem to
stretch their branches in a protecting attitude over
the stream ; altogether strongly reminding one of
those delicious bits of sylvan scenery which are
scattered, with such a lavish hand, through the
magic pages of Bewick.

Then come the Downs, the famous South
Downs, which White of Selborne was wont to call
" a magnificent chain of mountains," stretching
across the county in a south-easterly direction,

MARITIME TRACT. 7

until they reach the sea in the neighbourhood of
Brighton, and form a precipitous coast from
Kemp-town as far as Beachy Head.

But to the ornithologist, perhaps, the most in-
teresting district is the flat, maritime tract which
lies between the Downs and the sea, and extends
from Brighton to the westward, as far as Chiches-
ter harbour, where it reaches its extreme breadth ;
and here, long winding creeks and estuaries,
flanked by wooded promontories, and studded
with swampy islands, sheltered from the storms to
which the higher grounds are exposed, afford a
welcome retreat to our feathered visitors during
the inclement season of the year. The conside-
rable peninsula which extends to the south-west of
Bognor, terminating in the headland of Selsey
Bill, is perhaps as little known to the world as any
portion of Great Britian, lying, as it does, far to
the south of the more frequented highways ; but it
comprises a great extent of sea-coast, dotted here
and there with patches of brushwood and rough
copses of stunted oak — tempting places of rest to
our vernal migratory birds on their first arrival
from the continent — and also includes within its
limits a wide-spreading inlet of the sea, known as
Pagham harbour, which might almost be termed a
great salt lake ; for the entrance to the haven is so
narrow and shallow, and the channel within so

8 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

tortuous and uncertain, that none but small ves-
sels of trifling tonnage can attempt a passage ;
and even of these the number is so small and the
arrivals are so irregular, that they only arrest the
attention of the observer as they cautiously thread
their difficult way to deposit or receive a cargo of
coals or corn at the hamlet of Siddlesham, which
is seen rising, like a little Dutch village, from the
flat shores in the distance.

Here, in the dead long summer days, when not
a breath of air has been stirring, have I frequently
remained for hours, stretched on the hot shingle,
and gazed at the osprey as he soared aloft, or
watched the little islands of mud at the turn of the
tide, as each gradually rose from the receding
waters, and was successively taken possession of
by flocks of sandpipers and ring-dotterels, after
various circumvolutions on the part of each de-
tachment, now simultaneously presenting their
snowy breasts to the sunshine, now suddenly turn-
ing their dusky backs, so that the dazzled eye
lost sight of them from the contrast ; while the
prolonged cry of the titterel,* and the melancholy
note of the peewit from the distant swamp, have

* The provincial name for the whimbrel. The word
titterel frequently repeated by a female voice (in alt.)
would nearly resemble the cry of this bird.

PAGHAM.

mingled with the scream of the tern and the
taunting laugh of the gull.

Here have I watched the oyster-catcher, as he
flew from point to point, and cautiously waded
into the shallow water;* and the patient heron,
that pattern of a fisherman, as with retracted neck,
and eyes fixed on vacancy, he has stood for hours
without a single snap, motionless as a statue.
Here, too, have I pursued the guillemot, or craf-
tily endeavoured to cut off the retreat of the diver,
by mooring my boat across the narrow passage
through which alone he could return to the open
sea without having recourse to his reluctant wings.
Nor can I forget how often, during the Siberian
winter of 1838, when "a whole gale," as the sailors
have it, has been blowing from the north-east, I
used to take up my position on the long and nar-
row ridge of shingle which separated this paradise
from the raging waves without, and sheltered be-
hind a hillock of sea- weed, with my long duck- gun
and a trusty double, or half buried in a hole in

* Some persons, I am aware, argue that as the oyster-
catcher can swim he need not wade. I have never seen
him swim except when wounded and pursued into deep
water. Mr. Dunn, an accurate observer and author of the
' Ornithologist's Guide to Orkney and Shetland,' says that
he " has never seen the oyster-catcher take the water from
choice."

B 5

10 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

the sand, I used to watch the legions of water-
birds as they neared the shore, and dropped dis-
trustfully among the breakers, at a distance from
the desired haven, until, gaming confidence from
accession of numbers, some of the bolder spirits —
the pioneers of the army — would flap their wings,
rise from the white waves, and make for the calm
water. Here they come ! I can seen the pied
golden-eye pre-eminent among the advancing
party ; now the pochard, with his copper-coloured
head and neck, may be distinguished from the
darker scaup-duck; already the finger is on the
trigger, when, perhaps, they suddenly veer to the
right and left, far beyond the reach of my longest
barrel, or, it may be, come swishing overhead,
and leave a companion or two struggling on the
shingle or floating on the shallow waters of the
harbour.

But my recollections of this favoured spot have
induced me to dwell too long on its attractions.
I shall have occasion, however, to refer to it here-
after, as a locality where many rare birds have
been obtained.

A long line of chalk cliffs extends to the east-
ward of Brighton as far as Beachy Head, which is
the highest of all, and the country in the neigh-
bourhood of this precipitous coast is hilly and
treeless, and although partially cultivated, gene-

PEVENSEY BAY. 11

rally used as sheep-walks ; but its character
changes at the mouths of the rivers, and for many
miles of their previous course, the rich pastures
dotted with horned cattle, and flat arable tract ad-
joining, varied with occasional willow and alder
trees, mark the course of the streams, as they wind
through the naked Downs on their way to the
Channel.

After passing the bold promontory of Beachy
Head, the loftiest precipice of which is said to be
upwards of six hundred feet in height — a favourite
breeding^station of guillemots and razor-bills —
the cliffs rapidly diminish until we reach East-
bourne, where the South Downs appear to termi-
nate, and a wide-spreading bed of shingle forms
the flat, monotonous coast for many miles to the
eastward, in the direction of Bexhill. Here ex-
tend the shores of Pevensey Bay, which were de-
fended, during the war, by a long line of stunted
round towers, that look like wind-mills deprived of
all their upper works. On this wild beach the
ring- dotterel, or stone-runner as it is frequently
termed, deposits three eggs, which can scarcely
be distinguished from the surrounding pebbles,
and many species of terns haunt it in great num-
bers during the summer months. But amid this
barren waste, like an oasis in a desert, a cluster of
green, furze- covered hillocks suddenly appears,

12 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

intersected by little fresh-water lakes, whose
swampy banks, clothed with reeds and rushes,
abound, during certain seasons, with many mi-
gratory birds of the grallatorial and natatorial
divisions.

The principal rivers are the Arun, the Ouse,
the Cuckmere, and the Adur, all flowing into the
British Channel.

The Arun rises in the forest of St. Leonard, in
western Sussex, crosses a considerable portion of
the weald, and passes through the Downs between
Bury Hill and Amberley, where, during the rainy
season, it overflows the low meadows in that
neighbourhood to the extent of many miles, so as
to resemble a great lake, and ultimately debouches
at Littlehampton.

The Ouse and the Cuckmere rise in the forest
country, and enter the sea through the Downs to
the eastward of Brighton. The former passes
near Lewes, where it waters the flat, alluvial tract
of Lewes levels, and so on to Newhaven, on the
coast. The latter, still more to the eastward,
passing by Arlington, Alfriston and Littlington,
falls into the sea at Cuckmere haven, to the west-
ward of Beachy Head.

The Adur, which also rises in St. Leonard's
Forest, enters the sea at Shoreham, about six
miles west of Brighton. Although the mouth of

BANKS OF THE ADUR. 13

the harbour is narrow, and difficult of access to
large vessels, except at full tide, yet the waters
within expand laterally to a great extent, so as to
form a tolerably commodious haven for steamers,
colliers and fishing-boats, which the vicinity of
Brighton — to which this place serves as a port —
attracts in considerable numbers; indeed, the tide
even penetrates so far as to flood many of those
flat grounds, which, lying lower than the sea, run
parallel with it for some miles between Shoreham
and Hove, and are separated from it only by a
high ridge of shingle. Various little pools of
water are thus formed, which at certain seasons
are haunted by many of the smaller species of
wading and swimming birds, and the river above
Shoreham, as far as Beeding levels, during the
spring and autumnal months, will generally repay
the patient observer, or the persevering gunner,
who explores its muddy banks, and whose ardour
is not to be chilled by an occasionally fruitless
expedition in search of a rara avis.

14 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

LETTER II.

" Just then, in sign she favoured their intent,
A long-winged heron great Minerva sent,
This, tho' surrounding shades obscured their view,
By the shrill clang and whistling wings they knew."

POPE'S HOMER.

Parham — Its Situation — A May Morning — Cross-coun-
try Ride — Wild Common — Valley of the Arun —
. Amberley Castle — Wild-Fowl Haunts in Olden
Time — Winter Floods — Heronry invaded — Value
of a Spy-glass — Heron's Nest — Its Warlike occu-
pant— Another Nest — Old Bird feeding its Young
— Rooks versus Herons — The Heron a calumniated
Bird — Heron and Water Rat — Winter Quarters —
Genealogy of the Parham Heronry.

I QUITE agree with you, that next to the falcons
themselves, the heron — the noblest object of their
pursuit — which in days of yore used to stand at
the head of the British game-list, has the strongest
claim to our protection.

While the ranks of this patrician bird, so long
associated in our ideas with the old English hall
and baronial castle, are gradually disappearing

PARHAM. 15

before the utilitarian improvements of the nine-
teenth century, it affords me no small pleasure to
record that western Sussex can still boast of one
of the most interesting heronries in the south of
England. It is situated at Parham, the seat of
the Honourable Robert Curzon : there is not a
more beautifully wild and forest-like park in the
county; there, indeed, everything seems imbued
with the spirit of the olden time; from the ancient
hall itself, with its huge grate, and walls hung with
ancestral armour, to the venerable oak trees in the
foreground, and the dark woods of Scotch and
spruce fir which crown the heathery hills in the
distance.

You may remember that in a former letter I al-
luded to the variety and beauty of the scenery in
that belt of country, on the sandstone formation
which lies to the north of the Downs, between the
latter and the weald, and extends from Rogate, on
the borders of Hampshire, across the whole of
west Sussex. Parham is situated in this tract,
about eight miles, as the crow flies, to the south-
east of Petworth, and the greater portion of the
intervening country is on the same stratum.

I lately made an expedition to this heronry
during the breeding-season, an account of which
may perhaps amuse you. The weather for some
months had been cold, wet, and unseasonable, but

16 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

suddenly changing on the 3rd of May, a bright
cloudless sky and a warm sun seemed to infuse
new life into nature. The swallows, which ever
since their arrival had only occasionally been
seen, either singly or in small parties, skimming
silently and hurriedly over the wet meadows, as if
to make the most of their time during the brief
intervals of sunshine, now suddenly appeared in
vast numbers ; the very air seemed peopled with
them ; the woods and groves rang with the joyful
songs of the summer warblers : the larks mounted
higher and sang louder than before; and every-
thing, even to the barometer, seemed to exult in
the glorious change. On such a morning I started
on horseback from Petworth to Parham. Instead
of pursuing the highway by Pulborough and Stor-
rington, I turned south, and for two or three miles
my path lay through one of those eccentric coun-
try lanes so well known to wayfarers in this part
of England, and which are not less remarkable
for their beauty than for their total disregard of all
modern principles of road-making ; here climbing
the ridge of a hill, or descending its most abrupt
slope, when either extreme might easily have been
avoided; there suddenly turning off in an op-
posite direction to that which it had previously
pursued, and again resuming its original course ;
and now eating its tunnel-like way between high,

CROSS-COUNTRY RIDE. 17

sandy banks, where the old trees almost meet
overhead, and exclude even the rays of the mid-
day sun.

It was on emerging from one of these shady
labyrinths that I came suddenly upon an exten-
sive, undulating common, covered with heather
and gorse, the latter of which, now in full bloom,
seemed to blaze like a field of gold. Here, leav-
ing the beaten track, I pursued my way for some
miles over a wild country, pausing every now and
then to admire the beauty of the scenery, or to
observe the birds which frequented it. The stone-
chat, springing up, mounted to the summit of the
nearest furze-bush, and with fluttering wings and
jerking tail, as if to maintain his position on his
thorny perch, saluted me with his harsh note as I
passed. The cuckoo, whose voice had sounded
so subdued and distant a moment before, fluttered
out of a larch clump close by, skimmed, hawk-
like, across the path, and disappeared over the
brow of the hill. In every little copse where the
dwarf oak and blackthorn had grown together in
wild luxuriance, the nightingale sang vigorously :
but I listened in vain for the note of the grasshop-
per warbler; it had not yet arrived; but before
many days its cricket-like chirp will be heard in
these valleys; the fern owl,* too, will ere long
* Or night-jar, Caprimulgus Europaw.

18 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

appear in these his favourite haunts, and his mo-
notonous uchurr" be prolonged during the still,
summer evenings.

After leaving this wild tract, and striking the
high road between Pulborough and Arundel, the
view that suddenly burst upon me was singularly
beautiful. The great alluvial plain, watered by
the Arun, lay spread beneath. Far to the right
on the opposite side of the river, were the old
ruins of Amberley Castle, its dark, gray walls
standing in bold relief from the smooth Downs,
which, bounding this side of the picture as far as
the eye could reach, seemed at last to mingle,
cloud-like, with the distant horizon, and the hol-
low valleys that lay between them were filled with
a soft, half transparent mist, the effect of which,
with the summits of the hills bathed in sunshine,
it would be impossible for the pen to describe,
and Copley Fielding alone could depict with the
pencil.

But how different was the appearance of the
intervening plain sixty years since. Those wide
meadows, clothed with long, rank grass, where
herds of black cattle now lazily chew the cud,
were then covered with dense woods, where the
adventurous sportsman delighted to contend with
the tangled brushwood, and wade, knee-deep,
through the marshy jungles that extended for

MARCH OF AGRICULTURE. 19

miles on either side of the river, affording shelter
and sustenance at all seasons to various tribes
of water-fowl which haunted its recesses. Then
might the booming of the bittern have been heard
during the summer nights ; and many a rare spe-
cies whose occurrence, like the visits of an angel,
can now be recorded only as "few and far be-
tween," was either a constant resident or a regular
migrant to these congenial swamps. But alas !
the wild character of such scenery, with all its
associations, is gradually disappearing before the
strides of civilization, while the march of " agri-
cultural improvement " steadily progresses : the
advanced guard, indeed, with the axe and the
plough, long since performed its part, and gave
the first notice to quit to the feathered inhabitants
of the marshes, and the huge army of reserve,
with its mills and steam engines, and red legions
of draining tiles, will slowly but surely complete
the work of extermination. Nevertheless, during
the winter months the floods still exercise undis-
puted sway, and laugh to scorn the efforts of man
to curb their power ; for the entire plain, as far as
the eye can reach, becomes one vast sheet of
water, frequented, during severe storms, by wild-
fowl and sea-birds, while the dark, pine-crowned
hills of Parham arise like a beautiful island in the
distance.

20 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

After crossing the river by Greatham bridge,
and passing rapidly over the flat, dyke-intersected
plain that lay beyond, where the black-headed
bunting sat perched on the wooden rails, and the
sedge warbler scolded inveterately among the
reeds on either side of the road, I reached
the higher grounds, when, following a dry, sandy
track across a common, and afterwards skirting a
plantation of larch trees, whose graceful branches
hung over the path fresh in all the bright verdure
of early May, I at last arrived at Parham, tra-
versed its beautiful park, dismounted from my
horse, and soon afterwards found myself creeping
cautiously through the thick wood of Scotch and
spruce firs in which the heronry is situated, my
object being to approach so near as, if possible, to
obtain a good view of the birds between the in-
tervals of the trees, before they had become con-
scious of my presence. As I advanced, I could
hear the indescribable half croaking, half hissing
sound uttered by the young birds when in the act
of being fed by the old ones, but a treacherous
stick snapping beneath my foot, all was changed
in an instant; the unfledged inhabitants of the
nests became suddenly mute, and every adult
member of the colony was at once on the wing.
Some ascended into the air to a considerable
height, screaming loudly, others flapped heavily

HERONRY DISTURBED. 21

round the summits of the trees, as if unwilling to
leave the place until they had discovered the
cause of the general alarm ; while a few of the
less timid even resumed their position on the high
boughs. I now raised my glass, and had a capital
view of one splendid fellow as he stood, like a
guardian angel, over his nest, upright as a falcon,
his long, graceful neck extended to the utmost,
and his keen glance directed all around, as if
it could pierce even through the gloom of the
dark wood.

I need not tell you what a valuable assistant a
good spy-glass proves to the practical ornitholo-
gist ; you have often heard me speak of its advan-
tages in former times ; it is indeed my constant
companion ; for although blest with as keen sight
as most of my fellow creatures, and although so
well acquainted with birds as generally to be able
to distinguish a species by the character of its
flight at any reasonable distance, yet in investi-
gating the habits of many of the less accessible
tribes during the breeding-season, in observing
the birds which haunt the summits of the Downs,
or the great congregations of sandpipers and
flocks of wading birds on the coast, and satisfac-
torily making out, not only the various species,
but even different gradations of plumage in each,
I am deeply indebted to my pocket Dollond ; nor

22 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

shall I be persuaded to dispense with its services
until I become endowed with such a telescopic
vision as is attributed to the bushmen of southern
Africa. It is true that I had but little scope for
its use at this moment — the nests and their occu-
pants being situated among the thick branches of
the evergreen firs — but by its aid I could perceive
that the heron which had attracted my attention
was a very old bird, as indicated by the long crest
and the pure white plumage of the breast and
neck, with which the rows of jet black spots on
the sides of the latter contrasted beautifully.

Being anxious to examine the young birds, I
selected one of the spruce firs, on the summit of
which was a heron's nest, and which appeared to
command a view over many other lower trees
immediately adjoining, and similarly occupied.
The only danger — if such it could be called —
was that of losing a firm footing on the brittle
branches near the nest, nor can I say that I
experienced a pleasing sensation when the tall
and narrow stem, already well loaded with the
enormous, wide -spreading fabric at the top, began
to sway to and fro from my additional weight, as I
endeavoured, by walking out on one of the boughs
immediately underneath, to outflank it so far as to
enable me to reach the edge, and while support-
ing myself with one hand, partially explore its

NEST EXPLORED. 23

contents with the other. Having, however, suc-
ceeded in this, I soon felt the decomposing and
flattened bodies of two young herons, and above
them the warm plumage of a living bird, which
did not appear to avoid the touch of my hand.
An effort with both arms now brought my face to
a level with the nest, but I had scarcely time to
perceive that it contained a healthy and perfectly
fledged young bird, sitting complacently on the
bodies of his defunct brethren, before he darted
violently at my eyes, although he had previously
evinced no displeasure at the introduction of my
hand, and I was only able to protect them by bob-
bing my head suddenly, and receiving the attack
in a less vulnerable quarter. As if roused by the
sudden exertion, he then scrambled out of the
nest to the extremity of an adjoining bough, from
whence — being unable to follow him — I endea-
voured to shake him off, but for a long time in vain.
The obstinacy with which he maintained his hold
was extraordinary, and even after losing his equi-
librium, and hanging, head downwards, for a few
moments, just as I fancied he was about to drop,
he suddenly clutched the branch more firmly than
ever, and writhing his elastic neck upwards, he
seized a twig with his beak, which he held with all
the tenacity of a parrot. I therefore continued
to shake the bough, and after persevering in this

24 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

manoeuvre for some minutes, he gradually relaxed
his hold, and half fluttering, half tumbling through
the horizontal branches of the tree beneath me,
at last reached the ground in safety.

I had now leisure to examine the nest, the
lower and external portions of which were com-
posed of sticks from the larch and fir, the ma-
terials becoming finer towards the interior, which
was lined throughout with very thin birch twigs,
closely matted together. It was much wider
than that of the rook, and shallower in propor-
tion, being, as nearly as I could guess, about four
feet in diameter, while some of those in the neigh-
bouring trees, when viewed from beneath, seemed
even larger than this.

The two dead birds appeared to have perished
about a week before, probably owing to the un-
usual severity of the weather during the past
month. Their decomposing bodies did not seem
to have incommoded the old birds, as they might
easily have removed the annoyance, if inclined to
do so, by throwing them out of the shallow nest,
in the interior of which I found nothing else, ex-
cept the back-bones of two or three fish, which
might have originally weighed half a pound each.

My operations having for the present disturbed
the elder members of the heronry, who seemed
unwilling to return to the trees while I remained

YOUNG HERON. 25

there, I left the place for a couple of hours, and
then cautiously retracing my steps, fastened my
horse to a shrub at some distance, and taking off
my shooting coat, from one of the capacious pock-
ets of which the head and neck of the living
heron* protruded, I slung my spy-glass over my

* This bird reached home in safety, none the worse
for his rough ride and uncomfortable saddle. During
the first three months his diet consisted exclusively of fish;
indeed, he showed a repugnance to any other kind of food.
He is in excellent health, and possesses as much liberty as
a partially clipped wing will permit him to enjoy. Al-
though capable of taking short flights, he evinces no
inclination to wander beyond the precincts of a large stable-
yard, nor any uneasiness at the approach of dogs or
strangers.

He lives on familiar terms with three tame ravens,
who occasionally pass through the gate, or perch on the
roofs of the outbuildings. He is now even more omnivo-
rous than his sable friends, but condescends to partake
of their meals, devouring raw and cooked meat, bread,
boiled potatoes, and the offal of hares and rabbits, with
indiscriminate voracity.

When his appetite happens to be unusually fastidious,
he stations himself on the edge of a small tank, in
which a constant supply of live fish used formerly to be
kept for his especial use, and throws many a wistful
glance on the now vacant water ; but his favourite posi-
tion is in a corner of the yard, cheek-by-jowl with
a large watch-dog. Here, with his head drawn back

c

26 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

neck, and as silently as possible ascended a Scotch
fir which commanded from its upper branches
a good view of a large nest in a neighbouring
tree. The evergreen boughs, moreover, were so
well clothed with leaves, that I found less dif-
ficulty than I had expected in concealing myself,
but notwithstanding all my care the old birds
had taken the alarm when I began to climb, and I
had to wait a long time before either of them
returned. I had, however, a good opportunity of
examining with my glass the grotesque inhabi-
tants of the nest : they were three in number, ap-
peared to be not more than a week or ten days
old, and were partly clothed with a haiiy down,
resembling hemp or flax in colour and appear-
ance ; their heavy heads, crowned with tufts of
this, and raised occasionally as they opened their
enormous mouths in expectation of food, and then
suddenly dropped again ; their great staring eyes,
writhing necks, and naked bodies ; altogether con-

between his shoulders, and muffled up in a collar of loose
feathers, he passes the greater portion of his time, appa-
rently lost in an absent fit; but as his dinner-hour ap-
proaches, he gradually rouses himself, his long neck is
unfolded, his plumage becomes compact and smooth, he
screams with delight, and stalks about the yard.-

HERON ALIGHTING ON ITS NEST. 27

tributed to render their appearance irresistibly
ludicrous : but their excitement seemed to have
reached its utmost when one of the old birds,
which had flapped round the nest for some time,
at last prepared to alight, gradually allowing his
outstretched legs to fall from the horizontal to the
perpendicular, and working his wings with in-
creased violence and rapidity until he found a
firm footing on the margin of the nest, when, open-
ing his beak, he immediately disgorged several
small eels, which were greedily devoured by the
three young birds. The eels appeared to be
very small ; but I had ere long an opportunity
of observing that even when a fish is of a tolerable
size, the heron contrives to conceal it within the
elastic pouch to which, in so many birds, the
dilatable skin of the throat can be readily coa=
verted ; for many minutes had not elapsed before
I saw an old heron alight on a more distant tree,
and opening his mouth, drop a fish, which ap-
peared to be above half a pound weight, into the
bottom of his nest. I had, it is true, only a pass-
ing glimpse of it as it fell, and therefore at the mo-
ment could make only a rough guess at its weight
and species, but it appeared to be a bream, or large
roach, and of such a shape and size as I should
scarcely have supposed to have been stowed away
within that graceful neck, if I had not been aware,

c 2

28 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

from former observations on the habits of cormo-
rants and divers, how great are the expansive pro-
perties of the gullet in all piscivorous birds. After
dropping it on the floor of the nest he commenced
by repeated blows of his beak, to lacerate and
tear the flesh from the bones, and seemed to
accomplish his task in an incredibly short space of
time by means of the admirable tool with which
Nature had furnished him, performing at once the
double duties of pickaxe and pincers ; then fol-
lowed the feeding of the young birds, and so eco-
nomical a housekeeper and skilful carver did he
prove, that when I had afterwards the curiosity to
ascend to his nest, I found, as the remains of the
repast, little else than the back-bone of a fish
which might have weighed nearly a pound, with
only a few ragged bits of flesh adhering to it ;
even the head had been devoured.

Having secured this remnant, and taken a last
lingering look at the inhabitants of the nest, who
were hardly fledged and allowed me to handle
them without resistance, I thought 1 had caused
sufficient disturbance among my feathered friends
for one day, and being well aware of the capri-
cious nature of this species, entire establishments
of which have been known to desert their ances-
tral abodes, disgusted at the felling of a single
tree; and knowing with what anxious care they

ROOKS VERSUS HERONS. 29

are regarded by their benevolent owner ; I left the
heronry, and ascending the rising ground a few
hundred yards off, but still in the same wood, I
came to the rookery : here the herons had ori-
ginally taken up their position, but were expelled
after a few years by the rooks.*

By the way, I forgot to mention, that while
perched at the top of the Scotch fir, I witnessed a
curious chace, for combat it could not be called,
between a rook and a heron. The latter, return-
ing, I presume, from a foraging expedition among
the brooks in the neighbourhood of Pulborough,
was obliged either to fly directly over the rookery,
or take a circuitous route to avoid it. In this
dilemma he seemed to make up his mind to
choose the less prudent, though nobler alterna-
tive, but he had hardly appeared above the tops
of the trees before an old black warrior attacked
him furiously, following him up beyond the pre-
cincts of the heronry, and buffeting him vigorously,

* It would appear that such contests are not inva-
riably attended with similar results. Bewick quotes an
instance in which hostilities were carried on during two
successive seasons, and after many of the rooks and some
of the herons had lost their lives, the latter remained in
possession of the disputed trees.

Perhaps in these struggles numerical superiority may
decide the victory.

30 ORNITHOLOGICAL EAMBLES.

while the poor heron, far from making any re-
sistance, screamed with terror, and only occasion-
ally arrested his flight to throw himself into an
attitude of apparent pain and distress. Perhaps
you will regret that I have recorded this little
incident, as it may induce you to form rather
a low estimate of the moral qualities of a bird
whose physical organization would certainly ap-
pear calculated to enable him to resist such attacks
effectually.

I have long felt satisfied that the injury which
herons commit on fish-ponds is far less than is
generally imagined : indeed, the depredations of
all birds which can by any possibility be sup-
posed to interfere with the comforts or luxuries of
man, from the lordly eagle to the republican spar-
row, a?e greatly exaggerated, and a short-sighted
proscription is the result. Nay, those very habits
which should entitle some species to his especial
protection, are frequently, either from gross ig-
norance, or a wilful distortion of reasoning, con-
verted into a capital charge against them, which
entails unmerited persecution and the gradual
diminution of the race. Even the heron is not
such an unmitigated poacher as many persons
are inclined to believe ; I have had good oppor-
tunities of observing him here, and still better in
Ireland, and I have rarely known him to take a fish

HERON AND WATER RAT. 31

of greater weight than one pound. His structure
adapts him for wading to a certain depth into the
shallow waters on the borders of lakes, ponds, and
ditches, while his spider-like patience in watching
for his prey, and his cat-like activity in secur-
ing it, enable him to thin the shoals of gudgeons,
eels, roach, and minnows, that pass along the mar-
gins, and occasionally venture within his reach :
but the deep waters beyond are an unknown
region to him; there the carp and tench may
swim in security, as far as he is concerned, and
the trout and perch pursue the fly, or spring into
the air, within a tantalizing distance of his hungry
beak: so long as they do not venture within
the range of that unerring weapon they are safe.
But how will it fare with that water rat, which, re-
turning to its subterranean habitation from a visit
to yonder meadow, is now about to cross the
brook, —

" ripse ulterioris amore ? "

How fearlessly it commits itself to the stream !
So unconscious is the little animal of danger that
it does not attempt to dive or alter its course, but
with snout projecting from the surface, and tail
extended, it swims steadily across to where the
motionless bird awaits its arrival. The slightest

32 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

movement would prematurely reveal the presence
of the latter and disappoint him of his prey ; but
what forbearance does he not exhibit ! No hasty
step is taken in advance to anticipate its arrival,
that snake-like neck is still coiled up, and not
a muscle betrays a consciousness of the victim's
approach. Onward it comes, Ha ! it disappears ;
for a passing breeze has ruffled the plumage of
its enemy ; now then, the danger is over, and
you feel sure that it has successfully eluded the
vigilance of the feathered tiger, and reached its
hole in safety, but a sudden splash makes you
start, and you are convinced of your mistake when
you see the little quadruped writhing in the man-
dibles of the bird as he flies away to gorge it
at his leisure.

The heron is also partial to frogs and snakes,
which he destroys in considerable numbers, but I
repeat that I have very rarely known him capture
a fish of a pound weight. His stock in trade con-
sists of small fry, with the occasional exception of
a stout roach or a fresh-water bream, a bony,
worthless species, which delights in basking among
the shallows near the margins of large ponds ; and
I firmly believe that far greater devastation is
committed among the finny inhabitants of pre-
served waters by one leviathan of a pike — who is,
moreover, an uncompromising cannibal — than by

SUMMER OCCUPATIONS. 33

the united exertions of all the members of any one
heronry in the world.

The herons at Parham assemble early in Fe-
bruary, and then set about repairing their nests,
but the trees are never entirely deserted during
the winter months ; a few birds, probably some of
the more backward of the preceding season, roost-
ing among their boughs every night. They com-
mence laying early in March, and the greater
part of the young birds are hatched during the
early days of April. About the end of May they
may be seen to flap out of their nests to the adja-
cent boughs, and bask for hours in the warm sun-
shine ; but although now comparatively quiet
during the day, they become clamorous for food
as the evening approaches, and indeed for a long
time appear to be more difficult to wean, and less
able to shift for themselves, than most birds of
a similar age. They may be observed, as late as
August, still on the trees, screaming for food, and
occasionally fed by their parents, who forage for
them assiduously ; indeed, these exertions, so far
from being relaxed after the setting of the sun,
appear to be redoubled during the night ; for I
have frequently disturbed herons when riding
by moonlight among the low grounds near the
river, where I have seldom seen them during the
day, and several cottagers in the neighbourhood

c 5

34 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

of Parham have assured me that their shrill cry
may be heard at all hours of the night, during the
summer season, as they fly to and fro overhead, on
their passage between the heronry and the open
country.

The history or genealogy of the progenitors of
this colony is remarkable. They were originally
brought from Coity Castle, in Wales, by Lord
Leicester's steward, in James the First's time,
to Penshurst, in Kent, the seat of Lord De Lisle,
where their descendants continued for more than
two hundred years ; from thence they migrated to
Michelgrove, about seventy miles from Penshurst,
and eight from Parham; here they remained for
nearly twenty years, until the proprietor of the
estate disposed of it to the late Duke of Norfolk,
who, having purchased it, not as a residence, but
with the view of increasing the local property in
the neighbourhood of Arundel, pulled down the
house, and felled one or two of the trees on
which the herons had constructed their nests.
The migration commenced immediately, but ap-
pears to have been gradual; for three seasons
elapsed before all the members of the heronry had
found their way over the Downs to their new
quarters in the fir- woods of Parham. This oc-
curred about seventeen years ago.

The number of the nests now appears to be

WINTER QUARTERS. 35

rather increasing than diminishing, although an
unusually severe winter never fails to thin the
ranks of their occupants. The ponds, brooks and
ditches, which they have been in the habit of fre-
quenting, being now frozen up, the poor birds are
driven to the sea-coast and the salt marshes at the
mouths of the rivers, beyond the Downs : there
the murderous fowling-piece stops the career of
many a straggler in his winter quarters, and the
ensuing spring finds several nests untenanted ;
but a favourable season soon sets all to rights ;
the gaps are filled up ; and the kind-hearted pro-
prietor of Parham, in return for his care and
protection, can now boast of possessing one of the
finest establishments in the kingdom of this mag-
nificent and interesting species.

36 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

LETTER III.

' Nam jam pendebat in auras,

Et modo factus erat fulvis Haliseetus alls."

OVID'S METAMORPHOSES.

Sea Eagle often mistaken for the Golden Eagle — Distinc-
tive Characters — Erroneous Nomenclature — Mark-
wick probably mistaken — Common reports to be
received with caution — Various instances of the Sea
Eagle in Sussex — A sharp Look-out — Catching a
Tartar.

I THINK it is Colonel Hawker who complains
that every canine brute as big as a jackass and
as hairy as a bear is denominated a fine New-
foundland dog. In the justice of this remark
every one will be disposed to acquiesce ; and the
ornithologist may observe that as great a liberty
has frequently been taken with the golden eagle,*
for there is not a wider difference between the
real Labrador animal and the huge mongrels stig-
matized by the "prince of sportsmen," than be-
tween the royal tyrant of the Scottish hills and

* Aquila chrysaetos.

GOLDEN EAGLE AND SEA EAGLE. 37

the bird which has so frequently been made to
usurp his title in the south of England. The fact
is, that whenever an immature sea eagle,* in his
juvenile dress of shabby brown — ere his cine-
reous coat and white tail pronounce him to have
arrived at years of discretion — has wandered from
his native haunts, in the vain hope of getting a
living on our shores, and has fallen an easy vic-
tim to the watchful shepherd or the wily game-
keeper, a paragraph detailing the occurrence
forthwith goes the round of the local papers, and
the bird is gravely pronounced to be " a magnifi-
cent specimen of the golden eagle."

Strange as this may seem to those who are
now well acquainted, not only with the general
characters of the two species, but with their ana-
tomical distinctions, yet to the uninitiated the dif-
ference does not appear so striking as might be
imagined. I remember on one occasion visiting
a museum with a friend — a superficial observer —
in whose eyes the young sea eagle seemed to bear
a greater affinity to the mature golden than to the
adults of its own species ; the dark beak and the
prevalent brown colour of the plumage in this
bird at once attracting his attention, while the un-
feathered tarsi and scutellated toes escaped his
notice. However well and thoroughly understood

* Hali&etus albicilla.

38 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

these characters have since become, we must not
forget that even our own Bewick, so accurate in
most respects, assigned specific rank to the young
of both the birds in question, erroneously distin-
guishing them from their respective adults by the
names of the brown or sea eagle, and the ring-
tailed eagle ; but truly his admirable and life-like
figures of the birds themselves may well induce
us not only to forgive, but even to rejoice in the
scientific error.

Markwick, whose ' Catalogue of the Birds of
Sussex' appeared in the Linnean Transactions,
A.D. 1795, says, in reference to the golden eagle,
61 Several years ago I saw a bird of this species
which was shot in this neighbourhood;" but he
makes no allusion whatever to the cinereous or
sea eagle, and indeed the passage which I have
quoted above comprehends all his notice of the
rarer species. Now, I have taken considerable
pains to ascertain, if possible, one well-authenti-
cated instance of the death or capture of this bird
in Sussex : I have on more than one occasion
journeyed to a distant part of the county, tempted
by some high-sounding paragraph or plausible
communication, to inspect a veritable Aquila
chrysaetos, but in every instance I have been
doomed to disappointment, the so-called " golden
eagle " invariably turning out to be nothing more

REPORTS TO BE DISTRUSTED. 39

than a young bird of the common species. Tak-
ing, therefore, into consideration the imperfect
state of the science in Markwick's time, and the
vague and incorrect ideas on the subject of no-
menclature generally, which prevailed, indeed, to
a much later period; bearing in mind also that
the golden eagle — the eagle to which he alludes
— has apparently never since been met with in the
wild state in Sussex, while the white-tailed —
which he does not even mention — has occurred in
several instances ; and remembering that Bexhill,
where his eagle was said to have been killed, is a
village on the coast between Pevensey Bay and
Hastings, and therefore a more probable locality
for the sea eagle ; I think we may fairly conclude
that Markwick's bird was in reality the Hali&ettis
albicilla.

It is not without a considerable sense of disap-
pointment that I feel myself compelled conscien-
tiously to relinquish all claim to the golden eagle
as a Sussex bird; but although I readily plead
guilty to a strong desire to open the door to as
many of our feathered visitors as can, from my
own personal knowledge, or on unquestionable
authority, be admitted to a place in our local
fauna, yet I am well aware of the extreme caution
with which all oral information respecting birds
or their habits should be received : the numerous

40 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

errors and exaggerations which have crept into
some of our earlier histories are frequently attri-
butable to a want of care in this respect, *or too
great a share of credulity on the part of their
authors ; the verification of facts should be a grand
object with all who labour in the wide field of
Natural History ; and the observer who confines
himself even to one district, however limited, will
find ample materials for investigation and record,
without having occasion to press into his service
either apocryphal anecdotes or doubtful species.

A sea eagle, in immature plumage, was shot
some years ago by the proprietor of the Dolphin
Inn, at Shoreham. It was observed preying on
a dead fish which had been thrown up by the
waves on the beach, and being gorged, was killed
without difficulty. In January, 1844, a sea eagle
was shot near Windmill Hill, in the parish of
Warding, and during the winter of 1841 a bird of
the same species was observed in the neighbour-
hood of Rottingdean for nearly a month ; he was
unusually wary, and generally haunted the banks
of a small sheep-pond on the high Downs, where
he could command a good view of an approach-
ing enemy ; and when the tide was out he would
appear on the shore in search of dead fish, always
keeping away from the cliffs, and taking prompt
alarm at an approaching boat, in which, perhaps

CATCHING A TARTAR. 41

some ardent gunner might lie concealed. Not-
withstanding all his vigilance, however, one day,
when he was dozing on the borders of the ele-
vated pool above mentioned, a lark-shooter suc-
ceeded in approaching within a tolerable distance,
but the discharge of his gun was not sufficient to
disable the bird, which succeeded in making his
escape.

A fine example of the same species, but also in
imperfect plumage, was shot about four years ago
by a man in the employment of the superintend-
ent of Pevensey Levels. Being only winged, the
bird contrived to scramble into a corner formed
by two fences or low walls, where he took up his
position, and turning his face to his foes, like
Siccius Dentatus, he defended himself so reso-
lutely that he kept his persecutors at bay for a
length of time, one and all declining to come to
closer quarters with such a formidable antagonist.
Having tried in vain to turn his flank, an ally in
the form of a sheep-dog was called in, who com-
menced his attack in the most courageous manner,
little anticipating what a warm reception he was
about to meet with; but he soon found that he
had " caught a Tartar ; " for he was nearly killed
by the eagle before his rescue was effected. His
attack, however, caused a diversion by with-
drawing the attention of the bird from his biped

42 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

tormentors, and just as the talons of each foot were
respectively lodged in the ribs and throat of the
howling cur, and when another moment would
have seen one of his eyes cleverly scooped out, a
blow on the back of the head laid the poor eagle

-" stretched upon the plain,

No more through rolling clouds to soar again."

NOTE. — While these pages are passing through the
press, I have received information from Sir Charles
Taylor that a large eagle, lately observed in his neighbour-
hood, had been subsequently trapped in one of the great
woods on the Cowdray estate. Being naturally anxious to
examine, or perchance obtain a specimen of an eagle found
so near me, I was just preparing to start in quest of it,
when Lord Egmont kindly anticipated my wishes by send-
ing it to me. It proved' to be a male cinereous or sea
eagle, in immature, but uninjured plumage. I have ascer-
tained that the last chapter in his biography was as fol-
lows : — The bird had for three weeks frequented the wood-
ed district in that picturesque portion of the weald which
lies between Hollycombe and Henley Hill, about twenty
miles from the coast, and was evidently hitherto indebted
for his escape rather to the impracticable nature of his
haunts than to any cunning or vigilance of his own. He
had been seen several times near some old pollard oak trees,
among which, it was afterwards ascertained, he had roosted.
Having, at length, imprudently ventured to make a foray

SEA EAGLE. 43

upon a neighbouring farm-yard, and carried off a goose,
matters began to assume a serious aspect. A council of
war was called : the farmer, the game-keeper, and the rat-
catcher met in conclave ; an alliance offensive and defen-
sive was formed ; the eagle was denounced ; and all mea-
sures, whether of force or stratagem, were declared lawful,
to destroy such a marauder : the first subscribed a pigeon,
the second a trap, and the third a rat. Operations were
commenced by laying down the pigeon near the supposed
retreat of the robber, as if to test his gullibility : this was
immediately carried off: the trap was then set on the
same spot, baited with the rat, and by means of this
ignoble lure was the poor eagle deluded and captured.

44 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

LETTER IV.

" I think he'll be to Rome

As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it
By sovereignty of nature."

COBIOLANUS.

The Osprey miscalled Sea Eagle — An Outlaw — Hue and
Cry — Unholy Alliance — Occurrence of the Osprey
in Sussex— The Mullet Hawk— Rival Fishers— The
Osprey at Pagham — Anecdote — The Biter bit.

WHILE the term " golden " is often applied
erroneously to the cinereous or sea eagle, the os-
prey or fishing-hawk (Pandion hali&etus) is as
frequently honoured with the title of the latter
bird, at least in this part of England, where,
although far from abundant, it is of much more
frequent occurrence than its gigantic namesake.*

The old oak trees in the neighbourhood of some
of the well-stocked ponds in the district of the

* Markwick does not allude to the osprey, either by that
name or under any synonyme, in his ' Catalogue of Sussex
Birds.'

OSPREY IN SUSSEX. 45

weald would appear to offer many spots favour-
able to its nidification, and were it not for the un-
ceasing warfare carried on against all the tribe, I
might have had the pleasure of recording here at
least one instance of its sojourning with us during
the breeding-season : but no sooner does an
osprey make his appearance in such a situation,
soaring aloft in graceful and repeated circles,
dashing into the deep, or suddenly arresting his
downward career, and hovering over the surface,
than he becomes the object of general persecution;
the proprietor of pike is alarmed, issues his merci-
less edict for his death or expulsion, guns and
traps are put into immediate requisition, and the
keeper, in his undiscriminating hatred of every-
thing in the shape of a hawk, vies with the guar-
dian of the waters in his efforts to destroy the
beautiful stranger.

During the months of May and June, 1843, an
osprey was observed to haunt the large ponds
near Bolney. After securing a fish he used to re-
tire to an old tree on the more exposed bank
to devour it, and about the close of evening was
in the habit of flying off towards the north-west,
sometimes carrying away a prize in his talons if
his sport had been unusually successful, as if he
dreaded being disturbed at his repast during the
dangerous hours of twilight. Having been shot

46 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

at several times without effect, his visits to these
ponds became gradually less frequent, but the
surrounding covers being unpreserved, and the
bird itself too wary to suffer a near approach, he
escaped the fate of many of his congeners, and
even re-appeared with a companion early in the
following September, to whom he seemed to have
imparted his salutary dread of man — his mortal
enemy — for during the short time they remained
there it was impossible to approach within gun-
shot of either of them.

Adult specimens have occurred in Sussex dur-
ing the winter and spring months, those which
have been obtained in the summer and early part
of the autumn being generally immature birds, as
indicated by their speckled upper plumage. A
very fine old female was killed lately at Pond
Lye, near Cuckfield Place. I had an opportunity
of examining this bird immediately afterwards,
when it was sent to Brighton to be preserved :
the stomach contained a trout, which had partially
undergone the process of digestion.

Specimens have also been shot on the Adur at
Shoreham, and at Beeding : it has also occurred
in the neighbourhood of Chichester ; and farther
eastward, near Brighton, Pevensey Levels and
Rye harbour.

The river Arun flows through an extensive tract

THE MULLET HAWK. 47

of level meadow-land reclaimed from the original
swamp, just before it passes through a wide gap
in the Downs, Bury Hill being on the right and
the ruins of Amberley Castle on the left. A little
farther to the south it waters the ancient and pic-
turesque town of Arundel, celebrated even in old
Isaac Walton's time for its grey mullets.* This
fish would appear to have peculiar attractions for
the osprey, which, indeed, in the adjoining county
of Hampshire is called the mullet hawk,f a par-
tiality which will account for the more frequent oc-
currence of the bird during the mullet season than
at other times of the year, and in localities where
that species of fish more particularly abounds. I
have an immature specimen which was shot dur-
ing the summer of 1836, near Amberley Castle,
by a man who rented the fishing on that part of
the river ; he had noticed it for several days, and
from an observation of its habits had come to the
conclusion that it was a very formidable rival in
his own trade ; he said that it had destroyed
a great quantity of mullets.

About the same time another was killed at

*" And just so does Sussex boast of several fish ; as
namely, a Selsey cockle, a Chichester lobster, an Arundel
mullet, and an Amberley trout."

THE COMPLETE ANGLER.
f Yarrell's ' British Birds,' vol. i. p. 23.

48 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

Siddlesham, on the borders of Pagham harbour,
which, from a former letter, you will recognize as
a favourite haunt of this bird. During the sum-
mer arid autumn of 1839 I enjoyed many oppor-
tunities of observing an osprey, and of contem-
plating the unchecked display of his powers on
this fine sheet of water. There were no wild-fowl
shooters at that time of the year to interfere with
him, and I need hardly say that he experienced no
interruption from me.

He seldom ventured far out to sea, but at low
tide, when the waters had receded from the beach,
he would make an expedition to the south, sur-
veying the shores from a great height, and oc-
casionally dashing down to seize a fish just beyond
the white surf which marked the outline of the
coast as far as the eye could reach.

The oft-told, but frequently doubted story* of
an eagle, i. e., an osprey, having been carried
under water and drowned by a large pike, into
whose broad shoulders the bird had fixed his
talons, derives some credibility from the circum-
stances attending the capture of an osprey a few
years since near Rottingdean, a little village about
three miles from Kemp-town. The facts were as
follows: — A shepherd's boy, while tending his

* Lloyd's 'Field Sports of the North of Europe.'

THE BITER BIT. 49

flock near the cliffs, observed an osprey rising
with difficulty from the sea, and bearing in his
claws a large fish, with which he alighted near the
edge of the precipice. Running up hastily to the
spot, and perceiving the distress of the bird, who
appeared equally incapable of carrying off his
prize, or of disengaging himself from it, but looked,
as the boy expressed it, " as if he was stuck in a
trap," he disabled and subsequently despatched
him with his crook. I saw this specimen after it
had been set up by a clever taxidermist,* who, to
commemorate the particulars of its capture, had
mounted it on a large fish, with the claws firmly
imbedded in its scaly back.

What a singular fate for any predacious animal
to meet with when obeying the dictates of what

* Mr. Swaysland, of Brighton, who has done much
within the last few years to elevate the character of his art.
From a correct knowledge of the proportions and attitudes
of birds — the result of out-door observation — he succeeds
in restoring to each its peculiar form and expression. In-
deed, his specimens exhibit a life-like spirit which I have
never seen surpassed, and contrast advantageously with
those unhappy families of woodpeckers and kingfishers
which one sometimes sees trying to stand in impossible
attitudes within the shop-window of the ordinary bird,
stuffer.

50 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

has been called "an unerring instinct!" Acci-
dents of this kind are doubtless of rare occur-
rence, and may be placed in the same category
with the sudden death of a civic dignitary who
had incautiously swallowed a turbot-bone at a
Lord Mayor's dinner. Seldom, indeed, does the
bird seize a fish which he is unable to cany
off with ease, and as rarely would a bone of such
deadly dimensions escape the aldermanic eye ;
but these things have occurred nevertheless, and
to any one who has examined the foot of a re-
cently killed osprey the matter will appear quite
possible, as far as the bird is concerned : the ex-
treme length and sharpness of the claws, and their
almost semicircular curvature — exceeding that of
any of our raptorial birds — added to the versatility
of the outer toe, which enables it to clutch its
prey with greater firmness, must at the same time
render the sudden extrication of its talons propor-
tionably difficult, should an urgent necessity for
such an attempt occur ; but that it is not volunta-
rily practised on ordinary occasions would appear
from the observation of Mr. Yarrell, who, in
reference to the habits of a living specimen in the
gardens of the Zoological Society, says that after
te digging in the claws it held the fish most firmly
by four opposite points, not relaxing its hold or

OSPREY IN AMERICA. 51

altering the position of the toes, but picking out
the portions of flesh between them with great
ease and dexterity."*

* Nevertheless, the fact that this bird has generally the
power of relaxing his hold of his slippery prey will be fa-
miliar to all who have read Wilson's graphic account of his
habits in America. There the white-headed or bald eagle,
as partial to fish as the poor osprey, but too lazy to forage
for himself, sits patiently on the bough of some gigantic
tree commanding a view of the ocean, and when the osprey
rises from the surface with a prize, he instantly gives
chace, and frequently compels him to relinquish it.

52 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

LETTER V.

" Sufferance is the badge of all our tribe."

MEBCHANT OF VENICE.

The Kestrel or Windhover — Its unmerited Persecution —
Destructive to four-footed Vermin, Reptiles, &c. —
Seizure and Execution of a Rat — Serpent-killer — Mr.
Waterton on the Migration of the Windhover —
Problem and attempted Solution — Distribution of the
Kestrel — Periodical appearance " en potence " in Au-
tumn— Probable Cause — Commissariat Department
— Reappearance of considerable numbers in Spring.

OF the various birds which figure undeservedly
on the black list of the gamekeeper, there is none
for which the benevolent author of the Essays*
has pleaded more eloquently than the poor kestrel
or windhover (Falco tinnunculus) , and, I may add,
none more deserving of his powerful intercession.
Of all our Raptores it is — perhaps with the excep-
tion of the barn-owl — the most efficient destroyer
of mice, and as a general check upon the increase

* ' Essays on Natural History,' by C. Waterton, Esq.

THE KESTREL OR WINDHOVER. 53

of noxious small quadrupeds and reptiles, its ex-
ertions far surpass those of any other British bird
of prey. Its favourite food appears to be the
long-tailed field-mouse (Mus sylvaticus), whose
depredations on the bark and upper roots of
young timber and fruit trees are notorious ; it is
also known to consume vast quantities of beetles,
which in the larva state are injurious to vege-
tation ; and I have myself seen a female of this
species seize, carry off, and ultimately kill a full-
grown rat. I was walking at the time on a high
road near Petworth, which was flanked on either
side by a deep ditch ; about a hundred yards in
front lay a large heap of stones, and in the imme-
diate neighbourhood were several newly gleaned
stubble fields : over one of these hovered a female
kestrel; I was admiring her graceful evolutions^
and the apparent ease with which, in the face of
a strong westerly breeze, she remained poised as
it were in the air, when she suddenly darted over
the hedge which separated the field from the road,
and seized a rat which had evidently just issued
from the heap of stones, and was running at the
top of its speed to the opposite ditch. So rapid
was the swoop, that it had not accomplished half
the distance before the bird was on its back : fix-
ing the talons of both feet across its shoulders and
loins, she arose, and although evidently retarded

54 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

by her writhing and squeaking burden, cleared
the hedge, fluttered across a field, and alighted on
a mound of earth at the farther side. By making
a slight detour, and masking my advance with an
intervening oak tree, I contrived to approach
within thirty yards, and could perceive that she
was endeavouring to destroy the life of her victim
by severing with her beak the spine about the
middle of the back. Once, as if to try how far
her exertions in this respect had been attended
with success, she relaxed her hold of the rat, and
hovered over it in the air for a few seconds, while
the latter, whose vocal powers were now quite ex-
tinguished, and all its hinder parts paralyzed,
attempted to crawl, with the assistance of its fore
legs, down the sloping side of the hillock, when
the kestrel, as if satisfied that it could give her
but little more trouble, or perhaps ashamed of
prolonging a cruel experiment, more worthy of a
cat than a falcon, again seized it with both feet,
and resuming her position on the summit of the
mound began to devour it, commencing at the
head or back of the neck. Having suddenly
made my appearance at this moment, she flew off,
carrying the now dead and mutilated rat in one
foot with comparative ease, and as I looked after
her, I could see her continuing her flight across a
wide meadow, until she topped a low hedge at the

MR. WATERTON ON THE WINDHOVER. 55

opposite side, near a large wood, in the recesses
of which she could continue her repast without
further interruption.

You will perhaps think that I have described
this little incident with unnecessary minuteness:
I had two reasons for recording these apparently
trifling details : it was the first instance I had met
with of any raptorial bird relaxing its grasp of the
quarry, and even quitting it, before life was ex-
tinct; and it serves to prove that, besides being
an efficient destroyer of mice, the kestrel is also
a check upon that most odious of all four-footed
vermin, the rat.

Ornithologists are aware that the slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) is constantly devoured by this
hawk, but it has even stronger claims to the title
of " serpent-killer." A specimen was shot in this
neighbourhood in the act of killing a large adder :
the bird and reptile are both in my collection.

The perusal of Mr. Waterton's interesting re-
marks on the windhover in Yorkshire has induced
me to pay increased attention to its migration in
Sussex. It occurrred to me that a careful observa-*
tion of its habits and distribution in different parts
of this southern county, during the various sea-
sons of the year, might tend perhaps — in con-
nexion with what he had written on the subject —

56 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

to throw some additional light on this portion of
its history.

Mr. Waterton says, " Perhaps it is not generally
known that the windhover is a migratory bird;
but whether the greater part of these hawks leave
England in the autumn, or merely retire from
their breeding place to some other part of our
country more congenial to their habits, is a
problem which remains yet to be solved. For
my own part, I am of opinion that a very large
proportion of those which are bred in England
leave it in the autumn, to join the vast flights of
hawks which are seen to pass periodically over the
Mediterranean Sea, on their way to Africa.

" Last summer I visited twenty-four nests in
my park, all with windhover's eggs in them. The
old birds and their young tarried here till the de-
parture of the swallow, and then they disappeared.
During the winter there is scarcely a windhover
to be found. Sometimes a pair or so makes
its appearance, but does not remain long. When
February has set in more of the windhovers are
seen, and about the middle of the month their
numbers have much increased. They may be
then heard at all hours of the day ; and he who
loves to study Nature in the fields may observe
them now on soaring wing, high above in the

ITS DISTRIBUTION IN SUMMER. 57

blue expanse of heaven, now hovering near the
earth, ready; to pounce upon the luckless mouse,
and now inspecting the deserted nests of crows
and magpies, in order to secure a commodious re-
treat wherein to perform their approaching incu-
bation. Allowing, on an average, four young ones
to the nest, there must have been bred here
ninety-six windhover hawks last summer: add
the parent birds, and we shall have, in all, one
hundred and forty-four. Scarcely five of these
birds were seen here from Michaelmas to the lat-
ter end of January.

"The periodical disappearance of the wind-
hover from its breeding-place might give rise to
much ornithological inquiry; but I suspect that
when every circumstance shall have been duly
weighed, we shall still be in the dark with regard
to the true cause of its departure. The want of
food cannot be supposed to force it away ; for food
the most congenial to its appetite is found here in
great abundance at the very time when it deserts
us. Neither can supposed inclemency of weather
be alleged in support of its migration, as the
temperature of England is remarkably mild long
after the sun has descended into the southern
hemisphere."*

* ' Essays on Natural History,' first series, 3rd edition,
page 261

D5

58 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

Throughout the whole of the weald, which
comprehends about half the county of Sussex,
the kestrel or windhover is moderately dispersed
during the breeding-season. In this wooded dis-
trict it adopts the deserted nest of the carrion
crow or magpie, but although I have taken consi-
derable pains to ascertain, from constant personal
observation during several years, the extent of its
distribution here at this season, even in those
localities where it was obviously of more frequent
occurrence than in others, I could never find that
it was numerous as a species in any portion of
this region. For instance, on a well- wooded manor
of nearly two thousand acres, where game and
gamekeepers had been equally scarce for many
years, I could not discover more than four esta-
blishments of the windhover during an entire
spring and summer, although I explored every
crow's nest that I could find, and frightened
many a magpie out of its own lawful habitation.
Now admitting that an equal number had escaped
my detection — which I think is scarcely possible
— still this species must be considered as compa-
ratively sparingly distributed throughout this part
of the county during the spring and summer
months. At the same season I have repeatedly
examined other districts, and from my own obser-
vation, and the concurrent testimony of local ob-

APPEARANCE IN AUTUMN. 59

servers on whom I knew I could rely, I conclude
that this bird is then much less numerous in all
parts of this county than in the north of England.
During the months of May, June, and July, I
have occasionally found it among the parks and
plantations situated on the sandstone formation
between the weald and the Downs ; also among
the beech woods of the latter, and in the neigh-
bourhood of the heathery commons immediately
to the north of that range of hills. They are,
however, more plentiful on the coast to the east
of Brighton than in some other districts of Sussex
at this season ; although even there they do not
appear to congregate to such a degree as in simi-
lar situations in other parts of England, and they
are certainly less abundant on those chalk preci-
pices, which, commencing at Kemp-town, termi-
nate at Beachy Head, than among the gray cliffs
of the wealden rock which lie to the eastward of
Hastings : but as autumn draws near their num-
bers gradually increase in all parts of the county,
and at the very period when Mr. Waterton
describes them as leaving his neighbourhood —
that at which the swallow takes its departure —
they are perhaps more numerous here than at any
other time of the year. The maritime tract ex-
tending from Brighton to Chichester, the whole
line of the Downs, the highly cultivated district

60 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

between them and the weald, and the open por-
tions of the forest range in the eastern division^
abound with numbers of this species, which seem
to accumulate in the neighbourhood of the coast
as the winter approaches. Many of these are, of
course, birds of the year, but a considerable pro-
portion are adult, and I am convinced that I have
seen more of the latter during a morning's walk
among the fields, about the latter part of October,
in the neighbourhood of Worthing, than could
have been found in half the county during the
breeding-season.

When the corn has been reaped, and the process
of gleaning — or leasing, as it is here termed —
finished, the kestrel may be seen hovering over the
stubbles: then, and for a long time afterwards,
those fields abound with their favourite prey.
Let us bear in mind that the arboreal beetles
(Lucanida, Melolonthidce, Cetoniadae, &c.*),
and the large moths and grubs of different kinds,
which constitute so great a proportion of their
daily food during the summer months, have now
in a great measure disappeared, or are becoming
difficult to discover: accordingly, as the season
advances, we find the windhover leaving our
woods and forests for the open fields, especially

* Stag-beetles, Cockchafers, Rosechafers, &c.

COMMISSARIAT DEPARTMENT. 61

where the sickle has revealed the long-concealed
runs of the field-mouse (Mus sylvaticus), and
where the scattered grain attracts wandering
parties of the short- tailed vole (Arvicola agrestis) .
This, the most destructive of our diminutive
quadrupeds, equally injurious to the farmer, the
gardener and the proprietor of young plantations,
is now devoured in considerable numbers by the
kestrel. With the view of satisfying myself on
this point, I have occasionally shot and dissected
the bird at this season, when the contents of the
stomach removed all possibility of doubt. I have
also found the harvest mouse (Mus messorius),
which, as well as the young of the long-tailed
species, is frequently bolted whole by this hawk,
after the manner of an owl : but scarcely any kind
of large insect or diminutive quadruped comes
amiss. It luxuriates in grasshoppers. On one
occasion I observed a male kestrel beating a small
meadow for nearly an hour, flying much closer to
the ground than usual, every now and then drop-
ping down, and occasionally, but not invariably,
securing something in the grass. On paying still
closer attention to his manoauvres, although I
felt convinced that nothing but insects could
furnish such an uninterrupted succession of vic-
tims, I was still at a loss to discover the parti-
cular species to which he seemed so partial. I

62 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

therefore went into the house for my gun, and
returning in a few minutes, found him still en-
gaged, and so entirely was his attention absorbed
by his sport that I had no difficulty in walking up
and shooting him directly. The stomach con-
tained a mass of half-digested grasshoppers, and
the proventriculus was literally crammed with
them, and with nothing else. Food of this kind
of course soon becomes scarce as the autumn ad-
vances ; the same may be said of reptiles ; and of
the different species of mice which constitute its
staple support, some retire on the approach of
winter to their subterranean burrows under the
roots of trees, or occupy the deserted cellars of
the mole ; others, which had taken to the mea-
dows in the early spring, or haunted their favour-
ite corn-field during the summer, and afterwards
perseveringly gleaned the stubble as long as a
grain of wheat or barley was to be found, now
take up their winter quarters in the comfortable
rick close by, beyond the precincts of which they
seldom venture during the inclement season of the
year. Here, then, the supplies are cut off with
a vengeance, and as the windhover invariably
prefers fur to feather, seldom, as far as my expe-
rience goes, killing even a young lark — which,
however, occasionally forms an exception to the
rule — where mice are to be obtained, it is not dif-

DISTRIBUTION DURING THE WINTER. 63

ficult to imagine that if half the numbers of this
prolific hawk which are bred in England, were to
remain with us during the dead of winter, the
country would fail to furnish such a quantity of
their natural aliment as would satisfy the wants of
all, and they would either starve or be compelled
to do violence to their tastes, and to prey upon
many species of birds which they had heretofore
left unmolested. But although several kestrels
remain scattered at intervals through our woods
and over our moors during this season — when I
have known an instance of a female killing and
devouring a wounded partridge — yet the great
body of those which gradually concentrate near
the coast during the autumn and afterwards disap-
pear, certainly seem to be on their passage from
the more northern and central parts of the island,
preparatory to their migration from this country
to some southern region, where their favourite
food may possibly abound during the winter. As
early as the latter end of February, or the begin-
ning of March, we again notice a considerable
addition to their ranks, but in the ensuing month,
the woods in the interior and the cliffs on the
coast contain only the usual number that sojourn
with us during the breeding-season ; and on the
whole the species appears to be but moderately
distributed throughout this county until the arrival

64 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

of new migratory parties from the north during
the following autumn.*

* It has been my anxious wish to exclude as much as
possible from these pages all matters of a controversial na-
ture, and I have generally abstained from entering into
the subject of migration, as a "quastio vexata" which
would appear to have baffled or puzzled so many great
zoologists. Still, one's views and opinions will, however
carefully kept in check, occasionally ooze out, as it were, in
spite of one's self. Even so I find that I have been un-
consciously attempting to account for the migration of the
kestrel. Should these remarks ever meet the eye of the
distinguished author whom I have just quoted, and whose
interesting and truthful descriptions must endear him to
every lover of Nature, I hope he will not think that I am
ambitious of running a tilt with him in a field where he has
already gathered so many laurels.

SPARROWHAWK. 65

LETTER VI.

" The thieves have bound the true men : Now could thou
and I rob the thieves .' "—KING HENRT IV.

The Sparrowhawk pre-eminently a Bird-destroyer — Adap-
tation of Structure to Habits — Separation of the Sexes
during Winter — Recklessness when in pursuit of its
Prey — Anecdote — Injurious to feathered Game
in the Breeding-season — Remarkable Instance of
Voracity — A Family of Poachers — Their depredations
— Capture of the Gang.

As the windhover is the most insectivorous,
harmless, and even useful of our native Falconidae,
so the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) in propor-
tion to its size and powers, is the most carnivorous
of the family. Unlike the kestrel, it prefers birds
to quadrupeds, and from its great courage and
audacity, as well as a silent and stealthy mode of
approaching its unsuspecting victims, its depreda-
tions among the feathered tribes far exceed those
of any of our raptorial birds. By the way, the
form of the foot and length of the toes appear to
furnish a tolerable indication of the characteristic
propensities of several species in this family,

66 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

which vary considerably in the different genera.
Thus, the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), a true fal-
con— as indicated by the prominent tooth in the
upper mandible and the dark iris — is more nearly
allied in its habits and the nature of its prey to
the buzzards and harriers (Buteo, Circus, &c.),
than to its congener, the peregrine; while the
sparrowhawk (Accipiter), which in many particu-
lars departs from the type of the true falcon — such
as in having the upper mandible furnished with a
smooth festoon instead of a tooth, in the iris being
of a bright yellow, the tarsi slender and elongated,
and the wings short and rounded — yet approaches
the peregrine in its decided predilection for fea-
thered prey, as well as in the general fearlessness
of its character : but although presenting so many
points of difference in external aspect and struc-
ture, yet in one important respect these two
birds agree; in both, the toes are exceedingly
long, and admirably adapted for grasping and
penetrating the dense plumage of birds ; while
the buzzards and harriers, which, in common
with the kestrel, prey chiefly on quadrupeds,
reptiles and beetles, and require rather strength
than elongation of the prehensile organs, are all
furnished with comparatively short and stout toes.
The sparrowhawk is generally diffused through-
out Sussex, but is much more numerous during

HABITS OF THE SPARROWHAWK. 67

the summer in the weald than elsewhere ; and al-
though subjected to at least an equal share of
persecution with other members of the family, yet
either from the nature of that thickly-wooded
country, or the anti-Malthusian propensities of
the bird itself, it still appears to hold its ground,
and to defy that power which has nearly extermi-
nated so many of its congeners, and almost swept
from our fauna such a list of comparatively harm-
less and interesting species. In none is the supe-
rior size and strength of the female so conspicuous
as in this bird ; the disparity indeed is so great
that some ornithologists were formerly inclined to
believe in the existence of more than one species.
When foraging for their young, the female attacks
the game-preserve, the poultry-yard and the dove-
cot, while her diminutive partner skims along the
hedge, and picks off the terrified yellowhammer
or the crouching bullfinch from the bushes, or
plunges into the evergreens after the sparrow and
emerges on the opposite side with his screaming
victim in his talons.

During winter the adult females still keep to
the great woods, the game-preserves, and the
neighbourhood of the farm-yard; but the males
are more frequently met with in those parts of the
county which are partially enclosed, and where
flocks of larks and lesser conirostral birds haunt

00 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

the fields on the borders of thick hedges and cop-
pices. With hard weather and prolonged frost the
sexes separate still more widely, the female re-
maining in the interior, and the male following to
the coast the swarms of small birds of all kinds
which then congregate in the fields near the
shore. In the severe winter of 1 838-9, when I
passed much time in the pursuit of wild-fowl at
Pagham, I noticed one morning as many as twenty
male sparrowhawks hanging on the skirts of a
miscellaneous army of little birds, which extended,
with slight interruption, for some miles, between
Aldwick and Selsey, and harassing their outposts
like a hostile party of Cossacks. There was not a
female sparrowhawk among them, and these males
were known to the people on the coast and its
neighbourhood by the name of stone-falcons.

The following is a striking instance of the blind
impetuosity of this bird when in pursuit of its
prey. In May, 1844, I received from Burton
Park an adult male sparrowhawk in full breeding
plumage, which had killed itself, or rather met its
death, in a singular manner. The gardener was
watering plants in the greenhouse, the door being
open, when a blackbird dashed in suddenly, taking
refuge between his legs, and at the same moment
the glass roof above his head was broken with a
loud crash, and a hawk fell dead at his feet. The

ANECDOTE. 69

force of the swoop was so great that for a moment
he imagined a stone, hurled from a distance, to
have been the cause of the fracture. On dissecting
the bird I found that there was a good deal of ex-
travasated blood on the upper surface of both lobes
of the brain and around the optic nerves, the eyes
being also much suffused, but no portion of the
body or limbs presented any marks of violence,
except a slight laceration of the alular feathers on
one wing and the plumage of the breast.

I have already alluded to the destructive habits
of the sparrowhawk : the depredations of this little
tyrant of our woods and groves certainly surpass
those of any other British bird of prey, in propor-
tion to its size ; and unfortunately, as I have said,
many of our rarer and comparatively harmless
birds are compelled to suffer for its misdeeds.*

* The cuckoo, as every one knows, bears a strong resem-
blance to the male sparrowhawk at a distance — its general
form and manner of flight being very similar — when the
beak and feet are not seen. In a remote part of Sussex
I once encountered a native who exercised the double calling
of bailiff and " varmint "-killer, and who, on my remon-
strating with him for having shot and crucified so many
innocent cuckoos, assured me very gravely that although
those birds were called cuckoos throughout the summer,
they became hawks in the winter ; the bill and claws gra-
dually assuming the true falconine character. This was
near the coast, where the sparrowhawk is rare in the former

70 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

I could relate many instances of its almost incre-
dible voracity which have come under my notice
but let one suffice. It occurred in the summer of
1842, as I find by reference to my journal for that
year, from which the following details are literally
transcribed. I should premise that I was at that
time living in the weald, about six miles to the
north-east of Petworth, and that I had taken con-
siderable pains to increase the number of pheasants
in the wild, picturesque hangers and woods with
which my residence was surrounded, and where,
when once established, they become literally fer&
naturd, finding abundance of insect-food during
the summer and quantities of acorns in the autumn
and winter, and affording an attractive object of
pursuit to those who prefer wild sport and hard
fagging to assisting at the slaughter of the barley-
fed victims of a battue. I was endeavouring, as I
said, to encourage this species of game in my
neighbourhood, having due regard at the same
time to the welfare of my friends the kestrel and
the jay, much to the disgust of my keeper, who
made his appearance one morning in a state of
considerable excitement, his countenance present-
ing an expression of horror and indignation,

season, but where the males abound, as I have shown,
during the latter.

A FAMILY OF POACHERS. 71

through which, however, I could detect a smile of
secret satisfaction when he informed me that a
hawk — with an emphasis on the hated mono-
syllable— had carried oif several young pheasants
from the coops on the lawn; but here let the
journal speak for itself.

" June 23, 1842. Denyer the keeper has just
come up to the house, to tell me that during the
last two days he has missed several of the young
pheasants. He went at daybreak this morning to
the coops, in the neighbourhood of which he lay
concealed. Soon afterwards a loud screaming and
cackling among the hens announced the arrival of
an enemy, and by the time that D. had emerged
from his hut of oak boughs, gun in hand, he had
the mortification of seeing a hawk, out of shot,
carrying off one of the young pheasants in its
claws. I have no doubt that the thief is a sparrow-
hawk, and that unless we can extirpate the family
we shall lose several of our tame birds. He ob-
served the direction in which the hawk flew with
its prey, and I have therefore recommended him
to search the woods carefully in that quarter for
the nest, and to keep a sharp look-out near the
coops in the early morning, at which time the
previous attacks appear to have been made. I
regret much that an engagement at a distance,
compelling me to be absent from home for two

72 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

days, will prevent me from taking a personal share
in these operations.

" June 26. Returned home yesterday evening ;
and the first object that met my eyes on driving
up to the hall door was a row of dead sparrow-
hawks, seven in number, which D. had impaled,
each upon its own peculiar stick, with its wings
spread and tail expanded, as if to make the most
of it : there were the Patagonian old female and
the little cock, with his blue back and red breast,
and five immature birds, some of them larger than
the latter.

" It was not long before Denyer made his ap-
pearance with a game-bag in his hand, and gave
the following account of his successful expedi-
tion : —

" Having, with the assistance of Puttock the
gardener and a bird-nesting lad, carefully examined
the great wood of Dunhurst, in which direction
the old sparrowhawk had flown with the young
pheasant, they at last found the nest in a thick
oak tree : it was very broad and flat, constructed
on that of a carrion crow, but apparently much
enlarged, being considerably wider, although not
so deep. Hearing the cries of one of the young
hawks at a little distance, he concealed himself
in the underwood, and waited until the old male
arrived at the nest with a lark in his claws ; him

CAPTURE OF THE GANG. 73

he shot, and then mounted the tree to examine
the nest, which he found nearly filled with dead
birds which the old hawks had procured during
their foraging expeditions for their young. The
latter were absent, but D. could hear their sharp
cries from different parts of the wood. His next
care was to set a trap in the nest without remov-
ing any of its contents, and he had not waited
long before he caught the female, with a young
chicken in her talons. He then proceeded to
empty the nest, and could scarcely trust his eyes
at the sight — here he shook out upon the grass
for my inspection the contents of the bag — there
were fifteen young pheasants, about the size of
quails — some rather larger — four young partridges,
five chickens, a bullfinch, two meadow pipits and
two larks, all in a fresh state. Puttock, the gar-
dener, who helped D. to remove them from the
nest, corroborated his statement, and I certainly
saw and counted the victims myself, all of which
had evidently been killed by a bird of prey.

" The last operation of Denyer was to shoot the
young sparrowhawks, which, although nearly full-
grown and capable of flying, were unable to pro-
vide themselves with food. This he effected by
remaining quietly under the tree, until the birds,
whose gradually increasing hunger was evinced by
their louder and more frequent cries, by degrees

74 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

approached nearer to the nest, and were shot one
after another to the number of five."

Now, what strikes me as more especially worthy
of notice in this case, is the fact that the young
birds are not supplied with food at a distance
from the nest after they have left it, but that while
these yet haunt its neighbourhood, and are still
incapable of providing for themselves, the old ones
convert it at once into a larder and refectory,
which they stock with a constant supply of freshly-
killed prey, to which the others resort when
pressed by hunger, and are there fed by their pa-
rents, and probably receive their first lessons in the
art of plucking and breaking up their dinner.

This will appear to be a wise provision of Na-
ture, if we reflect upon the difficulties and delays
that would attend the operation of feeding the
young birds separately at this stage of their ex-
istence— when their appetite is probably the keenest
— far from the nest, and at a considerable distance
from each other.

MIGRATION OF SMALL BIRDS. 75

LETTER VII.

" When Autumn scatters his departing gleams,
Warned of approaching Winter, * * *

******

O'er the calm sky, in convolution swift,
The feathered eddy floats ; * * *
***** *

* * into warmer climes convey 'd

With other kindred birds of season, there
They twitter cheerful, till the vernal months
Invite them welcome back ; for, thronging, now
Innumerous wings are in commotion all.1'

THOMSON'S SEASONS.

Periodical transit of Flocks of small Birds through the
County — Various Species — The Goldfinch — "Har-
bour-Birds" and " Flight- Birds " — Anxiety of the
Bird-catcher — Pied Wagtail — Arrival on the Coast in
Spring — Plumage — Pilgrim Fathers — Progress to
the Interior — Return towards the Coast — Deter-
mined Direction of Flight — Geographical Considera-
tions.

I HAVE for a long time been inclined to believe
that many British birds, usually supposed to be
permanent residents, as well as those generally
admitted to be summer or winter visitors, perform

E 2

78 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

gray linnets (Linota cannabina), and green gros-
beaks (Coccothraustes chloris), pass in consider-
able numbers ; and such multitudes of the first-
named species are occasionally taken,* that the
market of the song-bird dealers is literally glutted
with them, even their most capacious family-cages
being quite filled with recently captured gold-
finches ; and from this circumstance, as well as
from the comparatively trifling value attached to
these birds at this season — when, from the imma-
turity of the greater proportion of the little pri-
soners, and the deficient state of their plumage,
the sex cannot be satisfactorily ascertained — they
are frequently doomed to death, and being after-
wards tied up with yellow wagtails, green gros-
beaks and gray linnets, in variegated bundles,
from which their own little crimson heads protrude
like ripe berries, they are hawked about by the
juvenile members of the bird-catching fraternity,
and occasionally sold to those who can find it
in their hearts to purchase such an ornithological
bouquet.

* May not this account in some degree for the total dis-
appearance of the goldfinch from certain inland counties
during the winter months ? Herefordshire, for example ;
a fact to which the editor of the ' Zoologist ' has directed
the attention of his correspondents. 'Zoologist,' vol. iii.
page 984.

THE GOLDFINCH. 79

I have already said that many of our conirostral
or hard-billed birds, as well as others of the den-
tirostral or insectivorous division of the Insessores
hitherto supposed to be constantly resident, at
least in the south of England, leave this coun-
try in considerable flocks about the beginning of
autumn, and return to it in diminished numbers
during the ensuing spring. It would be taxing
your patience too much if I were to transcribe
from my journal all the notes and records com-
mitted to paper within the last few years which
bear upon this particular subject ; such an inflic-
tion might test even your ornithological zeal too
severely, and would necessarily exceed the limits
of many letters ; but feeling, as I do, that the sub-
ject is one of more than common interest, I pro-
pose to select two well-known examples, which have
heretofore been supposed to be constant residents
iii our island, the goldfinch and the pied wagtail ;
the one a hard-billed bird, the other soft-billed :
and an account of their migrations will be suffi-
cient to illustrate my theory, and perhaps compre-
hend as much as would prove interesting to you
on this subject.

Of the departure of large flocks of goldfinches
in the autumn I have already spoken, a few, how-
ever, remain in different parts of the county
throughout the entire year, and in winter are

78 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

gray linnets (Linota cannabina), and green gros-
beaks (Coccothraustes chloris), pass in consider-
able numbers ; and such multitudes of the first-
named species are occasionally taken,* that the
market of the song-bird dealers is literally glutted
with them, even their most capacious family-cages
being quite filled with recently captured gold-
finches ; and from this circumstance, as well as
from the comparatively trifling value attached to
these birds at this season — when, from the imma-
turity of the greater proportion of the little pri-
soners, and the deficient state of their plumage,
the sex cannot be satisfactorily ascertained — they
are frequently doomed to death, and being after-
wards tied up with yellow wagtails, green gros-
beaks and gray linnets, in variegated bundles,
from which their own little crimson heads protrude
like ripe berries, they are hawked about by the
juvenile members of the bird-catching fraternity,
and occasionally sold to those who can find it
in their hearts to purchase such an ornithological
bouquet.

* May not this account in some degree for the total dis-
appearance of the goldfinch from certain inland counties
during the winter months ? Herefordshire, for example ;
a fact to which the editor of the ' Zoologist ' has directed
the attention of his correspondents. 'Zoologist,' vol. iii.
page 984.

THE GOLDFINCH. 79

I have already said that many of our conirostral
or hard-billed birds, as well as others of the den-
tirostral or insectivorous division of the Insessores
hitherto supposed to be constantly resident, at
least in the south of England, leave this coun-
try in considerable flocks about the beginning of
autumn, and return to it in diminished numbers
during the ensuing spring. It would be taxing
your patience too much if I were to transcribe
from my journal all the notes and records com-
mitted to paper within the last few years which
bear upon this particular subject ; such an inflic-
tion might test even your ornithological zeal too
severely, and would necessarily exceed the limits
of many letters ; but feeling, as I do, that the sub-
ject is one of more than common interest, I pro-
pose to select two well-known examples, which have
heretofore been supposed to be constant residents
in our island, the goldfinch and the pied wagtail ;
the one a hard-billed bird, the other soft-billed:
and an account of their migrations will be suffi-
cient to illustrate my theory, and perhaps compre-
hend as much as would prove interesting to you
on this subject.

Of the departure of large flocks of goldfinches
in the autumn I have already spoken, a few, how-
ever, remain in different parts of the county
throughout the entire year, and in winter are

80 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

generally found on wild, bushy ground, among the
remote valleys of the Downs, or on hedges near
waste land or commons. The periodical arrival
of fresh birds in the spring is well known even to
the most inexperienced bird-catchers in the neigh-
bourhood of Brighton, and anxiously expected by
them for many days previously : the goldfinches
which have remained all the winter are called by
them " harbour birds," meaning that they have so-
journed, or harboured — as the local expression is
— here during that season; those which arrive in
April are called "flight-birds." When the latter
are expected the bird-catcher watches his nets
with an anxious countenance, and his disappoint-
ment is great, if upon disengaging from the meshes
a newly captured prisoner, he perceives by the
dull-coloured back, dirty red forehead, and general
shabbiness of the plumage, that it is only what he
contemptuously terms " a harbour bird." Far dif-
ferent are his feelings when he entraps one with a
light-coloured back, snow-white cheeks, and bright
vermilion forehead; he knows then that "the flight"
has commenced, and the hour of sunrise finds him
at his post on the following morning, eager to avail
himself of the precious moments.

It is worthy of remark that the u harbour birds "
are much more shy than the newly arrived " flight
birds," which, with their plumage advanced to that

THE PIED WAGTAIL. 81

of the breeding season — the effect of a wanner
eliinate — are comparatively tame and easily
caught ; they are at once attracted by the decoy,
and fly into the net in unsuspicious haste.

Goldfinches again become numerous in October,
when detached parties, including the young of the
year, which have been spread through other por-
tions of the island during the summer, draw to-
wards the sea, and pass eastward in succession,
until they find — in some part of Kent as I imagine
— a favourable spot for crossing the Channel.

The pied wagtail* arrives from the continent on
the shores of Sussex about the middle of March.
Although several spend the winter here, these bear
but a small proportion to the numbers that visit us
in the spring. On fine days during this season I
have frequently seen them approaching the coast,
aided by a gentle breeze from the south, their
well-known call-note being distinctly audible,
under such favourable circumstances, from a

* A few years have elapsed since I was first struck by
the incorrectness of the received opinion that our pied
wagtail was migratory only in the northern, but stationary
in the southern counties of England ; and a portion of the
following remarks on that bird appeared at the time in a
communication made by me to the * Zoologist,' which was
subsequently noticed by Mr. Yarrell, in the second edition
of his ' History of British Birds.'

£5

82 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

considerable distance at sea, even long before the
birds themselves could be perceived,

The fields in the immediate neighbourhood,
where but a short time before scarcely an indi-
vidual was to be found, are soon tenanted by num-
bers of this species, and for several days they
continue dropping on the beach in small parties.
The old males arrive first, presenting the beautiful
jet black and clear white plumage of the breeding
season, while the females, and the males of the
preceding year which still partially resemble their
partners — the feathers on the back being of an
iron gray colour — do not make their appearance
until a few days afterwards. It may be observed
that the white on the forehead and cheeks of these
newly arrived birds is much more pure at this
time than in those which winter in England, and
altogether they have a fresher and cleaner look
than even they themselves present a short time
after their arrival in this country.

Some of the old males seem to have made their
nuptial contract before their departure from the
continent; for after alighting on the shore they
exhibit many signs of restlessness and anxiety,
performing short flights and incessantly calling for
their mates.

It is worthy of remark that those pied wagtails
which remain with us during the winter, do not

PLUMAGE. 83

assume the summer garb at so early a period
as their travelled brethren ; indeed, on the arrival
of the latter, which have already attained the full
nuptial plumage, the former have but partially
commenced the change, only a few black patches
beginning to show on the throat, and the light
gray of the back being varied with occasional fea-
thers of a darker hue. In about a fortnight
afterwards this process is complete, and at the ex-
piration of that time the pied wagtails which have
arrived from the continent, and those which have
sojourned in England during the winter, present
the same appearance.

After remaining in the neighbourhood of the
coast for a few days, these birds proceed inland in
a northerly direction ; and any practical observer
in the interior of the county may perceive how
much their numbers increase at this period.
There is scarcely a pool, road-side ditch, or
village horse-pond, where they may not be seen in
pairs, and this in districts where, but a week
before, the species was thinly distributed.

Pied wagtails moult soon, about the end of
July or early in August. The black feathers gra-
dually disappear from the throat in both sexes,
and the dorsal plumage becomes of a lighter
colour in each ; the back of the male being
scarcely darker than that of the female during the

84 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

summer, which now assumes a still paler gray.
Young birds of both sexes resemble the latter.

About the middle of August there is a general
move towards the sea-coast, and these birds now
first appear to become gregarious.

At this season I have frequently noticed them
in considerable numbers on village commons and
similar localities in the interior of the county,
where they remain but a few days, making way for
fresh detachments, which, in their turn, pursue the
same route towards the south. About the latter
end of the month, or in the beginning of Septem-
ber, an early riser, visiting the fields in the neigh-
bourhood of the coast, may observe them flying
invariably from west to east, parallel with the
shore, and following each other in constant suc-
cession. These flights continue from daylight
until about ten o'clock in the forenoon ; and it is
a remarkable fact, that so steadily do they pursue
this course, and so pertinacious are they in adher-
ing to it, that even a shot fired at an advancing
party, and the death of more than one individual,
have failed to induce the remainder to fly in a dif-
ferent direction ; for, after opening to the right
and left, their ranks have again closed, and the
progress towards the east has been resumed as
before.

I have observed that their proximity to the

GEOGRAPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS. 85

coast during this transit from west to east seems
to depend in some degree upon the character and
extent of the country intervening between the
Downs and the sea. For instance, in the more
westerly portion of the alluvial district, which may
be said to extend from Chichester to Brighton,
the flocks of pied wagtails are evidently less
numerous, appear to be more scattered, and to
occur at greater distances from the coast, than at
its eastern extremity. This, I think, may be ac-
counted for. In the neighbourhood of Chichester,
Pagham and Bognor, that flat, maritime tract
attains its greatest breadth; tall hedges, well-shel-
tered meadows, and highly cultivated fields lie
around, and offer many inducements to these pil-
grim bands to divide their forces, and even to
pause in the midst of their journey, while at the
same time their movements are here in some
measure concealed from ordinary observation.
But as they advance towards Brighton, where the
bleak, naked Downs approach the sea, and the
intervening plain becomes narrower, the fields
being more open and the fences low and trifling,
these migratory flocks seem to accumulate — to
become, as it were, more concentrated — as they
proceed in a continuous stream towards the east.

It would appear that these birds — the greater
part of which are the young of the year, at this

86 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

time but a few months old and unequal to pro-
tracted flights — in thus steadfastly pursuing this
course, are impelled by a wonderful instinct to
seek the shores of the neighbouring county of
Kent, from whence the voyage to the continent
may be performed with ease and security. At
any rate, from this period throughout the whole
county, the species continues to be comparatively
but sparingly distributed, until augmented by
fresh arrivals from the south during the warm
days of the ensuing spring.

NO GAP IN NATURE. 87

LETTER VIII.

' Nature to them, without profusion, kind,
The proper organs, proper power assigned;
Each seeming want compensated of course,
Here with degrees of swiftness, there of force ;
All in exact proportion to their state,
Nothing to add, and nothing to abate."

POPE.

No Gap in Nature — Harriers — Variety of Plumage —
Different Species — Examples in Sussex — Owls —
Eagle-owl — Living Collection at Arundel Castle —
Donjon-keep — Breeding in Confinement — Prisoners
at large — Tawny or Wood Owl — Gradual Disappear-
ance— Utilitarian Spirit antagonistic to the Pictu-
resque— Ivy unjustly condemned — Short-eared Owl
— Scops-eared Owl — Occurrence in the County —
White, or Barn Owl — Innocence vindicated — The
Sanctuary — Rites of Hospitality.

How truly it may be said that there is no gap
in Nature ! To the general student of Natural
History this fact is beautifully displayed at every
step ; but even in the comparatively limited sphere
of British Ornithology, we have ample opportuni-
ties of observing how close is the affinity between

88 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

the various families of birds, and how insensible
are the transitions from one genus to another.
Thus, the short-eared owl (Otus brachyotos) — Strix
accipitrina of earlier authors — appears in some
respects more like a hawk than an owl, — as in the
incomplete development of the facial disk, the ra-
pidity of its flight, the boldness of its attack, and
its diurnal habits ; while the hen harrier (Circus
cyaneus) — Falco cyaneus of Linnaeus — seems to
be as nearly allied to the owls.

Of the three species of Circus, the marsh har-
rier or moor buzzard (Circus ceruginosus), the hen
harrier, and Montagu's harrier (Circus Montagui),
the second is by far the most generally distributed,
although all three must now be considered compa-
ratively rare in Sussex, even on the heather-clad
Downs, exposed moors, and marshy commons
where they once abounded.

The great variety of plumage presented by birds
of this genus, now clearly ascertained to be refer-
rible to age and sex, might easily have induced a
belief in the existence of many species, at a period
when this portion of British Ornithology had been
but little investigated. The males of the two last
named, after the first autumnal moult, gradually
assume the adult dress, which appears to be at
least three years in arriving at perfection ; the
upper parts being then generally of a bluish gray,

HARRIERS — VARIETY OF PLUMAGE. 89

and the lower white ; Montagu's bird, however, is
distinguished not only by its lighter and more
elongated form and tern-like flight, but by a dark
belt across the secondaries, and several ferruginous
bars on the under wing-coverts. The females are
respectively larger than the males, of a brown
colour, varied less or more with several shades of
yellowish red, the longitudinal spots or streaks on
the lower parts becoming more narrow and dis-
tinct, and the ground of a lighter tint, as they
advance towards maturity. The young of the year
resemble the females, but the plumage is less
streaked or variegated. The male of the marsh
harrier or moor buzzard, although, like others of
the genus, subject to a change which may be
dated from the first autumnal moult, yet never
arrives at that gull-like state of plumage charac-
teristic of the other two species; the wings and
tail alone, even in very old birds, assuming the
bluish gray hue, the head and throat being whitish,
and the remaining portion of the body presenting
different shades of dark and ferruginous brown.

Although formerly of common occurrence on
the uncultivated heaths of this county, many of
which still continue in their primaeval state, the
marsh harrier is now one of the rarest of our Fal-
conida. I do not know of an adult male having
been procured during the last ten years in Sussex,

90 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

and but few specimens of female, or immature
birds. Montagu's harrier is more frequently met
with. A male and female are in the possession of
a gentleman at Brighton, which were shot at
Wiversfield, in June, 1847. As both birds were
mature, and had been observed together for some
time previously, it is probable that their nest was
in the immediate vicinity. In September, 1844, a
male was shot by the Duke of Norfolk's head
keeper, near Arundel, and another in December of
the same year by a gentleman at West Wittering.
I have seen a beautiful specimen, an adult male,
at Hollycombe, which was obtained in that neigh-
bourhood on the borders of Wolmer Forest ; and
another, a female, which had been taken in a trap
baited with a rabbit's scut, at Oaf ham, in March,
1842.

The hen harrier is, as I have said, much more
generally distributed ; and examples, for the most
part immature, are shot or trapped every year,
and figure either in the gamekeeper's larder or the
cabinet of the collector.

Through this group of the Falconida we pass,
by an easy gradation, to the owls ; for the loose
and yielding character of the plumage, the pre-
sence of a facial disk, or ring of short, curled
feathers which partially defines the outline of the
face, and a general lightness and buoyancy of

THE EAGLE OWL. 91

frame, evince an obvious departure from the cha-
racter of the falcons and hawks, and an approach
to those birds of night which have not unaptly
been termed the moths of the feathered race.

The eagle owl (Bubo maximus) is said by Mon-
tagu, Yarrell and Jenyns, to have been met with
in Sussex : such high authority is of course suffi-
cient to entitle it to a place in our local Fauna ;
but although I have not been able to ascertain a
second instance of its occurrence here in the wild
state, I cannot refrain from alluding to the unri-
valled living collection of these magnificent birds
at Arundel Castle, existing in a condition more
nearly approaching to a state of nature than, I
believe, ever before fell to the lot of any animal
which had been partially deprived of its liberty by
man. They inhabit a considerable space circum-
scribed by the massive ivy-covered walls of the
old Donjon keep, into the deep fissures of which
they retire to rest during the broad day, and
emerge from these recesses on the approach of
evening. The fact that these owls have here not
only performed the duties of incubation, but even
reared their young occasionally — the only instance,
I believe, on record of any bird of prey breeding
when deprived of its liberty— would alone prove
their perfect reconciliation to the very qualified
captivity to which they are subjected.

92 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

The tawny or wood owl (Syrnium aluco) is still
found in the thick covers of the weald, and in old
parks, to which this bird now appears to be chiefly
restricted. Although in its persecution at the
hands of the keeper it does not present such a
case of injured innocence as the bam owl — a
young leveret or rabbit occasionally varying its
nocturnal sport — yet I believe that feathered game
is rarely or never molested by it ; while rats, mice,
small birds, reptiles, and large insects constitute
its regular prey.

This species was, even a few years since, more
numerous than at present in our great woods ;
which I attribute not so much to special persecu-
tion as to the disappearance of nearly all the aged
oak trees which used to form such a distinguishing
feature in our woodland scenery, and in the hollow
recesses of which the tawny owl deposited its eggs
and reared its young. An opinion has for some
time been prevalent among proprietors in these
districts, that under the existing state of duties on
foreign timber,* and the present high value of oak
bark, it " pays better," as the phrase is, to fell the
trees when comparatively young, than to suffer
them to arrive at maturity, as their ancestors did.
Under these circumstances there is but little

* This was written before the late alteration in the tariff.

LONG-EARED OWL— IVY. 93

chance, as there used to be, of some huge son of
the forest, whose premature decay perhaps had
escaped the notice of the woodman, affording an
asylum to this bird, and the same cause has
tended to diminish the numbers of the whole fa-
mily of woodpeckers, and of the long-eared owl
(Otus vulgaris), which used to build its nest in
the dense masses of ivy with which the more aged
trees were clothed. In the utilitarian spirit of the
present day, which repudiates all perception of
the picturesque, these survivors of centuries have
been grubbed up and condemned as cumberers of
the ground ; and an erroneous idea having been
propagated that ivy is injurious to the growth of
timber trees, as tending to absorb a portion of the
sap from the bark which it encircles — although it
is through its own root alone, which is in the
ground, that the plant derives any nourishment *
— we see trees which a few years ago were clothed
with perennial masses of ivy, now covered with
brown patches of its dead and decaying leaves,
and on a closer inspection perceive the fatal
wound where the unrelenting bill-hook of the
woodman had severed the bole of the beautiful
evergreen.

* For a triumphant defence of the ivy, see Waterton's
Essays, 2nd series, p. 68.

94 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

The short-eared owl (Otus Irachyotos) occurs
on our open heaths about the latter end of Octo-
ber, and its appearance here, as elsewhere, is
generally hailed as the harbinger of the first flight
of woodcocks; but although I have frequently met
with it in such situations, and occasionally in tur-
nip and stubble fields, I believe it to be much less
generally distributed here than on the eastern
coast of England. It is an autumnal visitor from
the north, appears to be less incommoded by day-
light than any of its congeners, and flies, even
during sunshine, with a degree of boldness and
decision which alone would serve to distinguish it
from the others. Its prey appears to be similar to
that of the kestrel. The stomachs of three which
I examined contained the remains of field mice,
young rats, and the elytra of different species of
beetles.

The eggs and nest of this bird have been found
in Norfolk, but I believe that it has never been
known to breed in this county.

Of the occurrence of that rare visitor, the Scops-
eared owl (Scops Aldrovandi), I can record only
one instance in Sussex. It was shot some years
ago at Shillinglee, the seat of the Earl of Winter-
ton, and was subsequently in the possession of a
member of the family.

The white or barn owl (Strix flammed], pre-

RITES OF HOSPITALITY. 95

eminently typical of the genus, is the most gene-
rally distributed, although by no means so common
as in some other counties. Our farmers have at
last discovered that the occasional disappearance
of poultry from the yard, or of pigeons from the
dovecot, is not to be laid to its charge, and that
even the vaunted services of the cat in purging
the barn and the haggard of rats and mice, fall
far short of those performed by its powerful ally,
this useful and really valuable bird.

Some of these owls have lately found a sanc-
tuary in the yews and ivy of the churchyard at
Petworth ; and their hard breathing, late in the
evening, has more than once arrested the atten-
tion of the passers by, who fancied that some
jovial neighbour had been "brought to," and was
reclining in an adjacent gutter, under the somni-
ferous influence of the potations dispensed at the
beer-shop, having there taken advantage of the le-
gal indulgence " to be drunk on the premises."

I have the satisfaction of exercising the rites of
hospitality towards a pair of barn owls, which have
for some time taken up their quarters in one of
the attic roofs of the ancient, ivy-covered house in
which I reside. I delight in listening to the pro-
longed snoring of the young when I ascend the
old oak stairs to the neighbourhood of their nur-
sery, and in hearing the shriek of the parent birds

96 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

on the calm summer nights as they pass to and fro
near my window ; for it assures me that they are
still safe ; and as I know that at least a qualified
protection is afforded them elsewhere, and that
even their arch-enemy the gamekeeper is begin-
ning reluctantly, but gradually, to acquiesce in
the general belief of their innocence and utility, I
cannot help indulging the hope that this bird will
eventually meet with that general encouragement
and protection to which its eminent services so
richly entitle it.

CARRION CROW. 97

LETTER IX.

;Omnes eodem cogimur."

HORACE.

Carrion Crow — His Haunts and Habits during the Sum-
mer — Hammer -ponds — Crow -Mussel — Winter
Haunts of the Hooded and Carrion Crows — Par-
tiality of several Corvida to the Sea-coast at this
Season — Local separation of two nearly-allied Species
— Probable Cause.

THE carrion crow (Corvus corone) is a well-
known bird in most parts of Sussex, but more
especially frequents the wooded districts north of
the Downs during the spring and summer, where,
notwithstanding the dangers to which he is occa-
sionally exposed from bird-nesting boys and vigi-
lant gamekeepers, the species seems to have found
a strong hold, and does not appear to be sensibly
diminishing.

After the bursting of the leaf it is difficult to
discover his haunts ; so shy and solitary are his
habits, that two nests are seldom to be found in

F

98 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

the immediate neighbourhood of each other : and
here, amidst forests of oak, and dense thickets,
interwoven with briars and brushwood, he dwells
in comparative security, and has ample opportu-
nities of indulging his vagrant habits and his
predilection for all kinds of animal food. Besides
the young of small quadrupeds, carrion of all
kinds, and the eggs of pheasants, partridges and
poultry, he is exceedingly fond of a species of
fresh -water mussel (Anodon anatina), which
abounds in all the brooks and ponds in the clay
district of the weald of Sussex, and from this
circumstance, has among the country people ac-
quired the local name of " crow-mussel."

After continued and heavy falls of rain the mea-
dows in the vicinity of these brooks are inundated
to a considerable extent, and quantities of this
shell-fish, disturbed from the muddy bed of the
stream, are carried over and deposited on the
banks, where they remain high and dry after
the falling of the water. On such occasions the
carrion crow is not idle : as the floods retire he
may be seen issuing from the neighbouring woods,
expressing his delight, or announcing his disco-
very to his mate by his frequent croakings ; flying
steadily along the edge, but checking his progress
every now and then to seize and devour a newly
exposed prize ; while another may be observed

HAMMER-PONDS. 99

parading up and down the banks, wading knee-
deep in the shallower parts of the stream, and
anxiously watching the receding waters ; or occa-
sionally plunging in his head and dragging out a
mussel, which he demolishes forthwith : the shell
being brittle, two or three smart blows of his
beak suffice to break it, and the contents disap-
pear in a moment.

Immense quantities of this bivalve are found in
the numerous ponds which form so distinguishing
a feature in the wooded scenery of the weald, and
attract the attention of all strangers who visit this
part of Sussex. Many of these are the remains of
establishments for the smelting of native iron,
before the Swedish metal came into such general
use ; and the names of " Furnace-pond " and
" Hammer-pond," which are still applied to some
of them, serve to point out their origin. They
frequently abound with fish, and are usually
drained at an interval of a certain number of
years; carp, tench, and eels are found in consi-
derable numbers, and the decayed vegetation
which has accumulated at the bottom in the form
of mud — the result of the falling of the leaf from
the overhanging woods during many successive
seasons — is afterwards dug out and thrown up on
the banks to be used for agricultural purposes,
and in this state the ponds are suffered to remain

F2

100 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

for some time before the water is allowed to
return, and the stock-fish re -introduced. Then
indeed an ample and welcome feast is prepared
for the carrion crow : the bottom of the pond and
the banks above being literally studded with the
fresh-water mussel. I have never observed so
many carrion crows assembled together as on
such occasions, and the banquet lasts for several
days, until nothing remains but scattered frag-
ments of the empty shells.

On the approach of winter the carrion crow
retires from the wooded districts and proceeds to
the sea-coast, at a somewhat later period than that
at which the hooded crow (Corvus comix) arrives
in this country from the north ; and the partial
distribution of these Corvidce at this season, in-
volving, as it does, the local separation of the
two species, appears to me to be worthy of ob-
servation.

A few years since, while residing during the
winter near the sea in the western part of the
county, I noticed that the carrion crow was
common in the estuaries of Chichester harbour,
and along the whole line of shore from Selsey Bill
to Bognor, where I also met with the raven occa-
sionally at this season ; but I never could detect
the occurrence of a single hooded crow within the
same limits. This struck me the more forcibly,

HOODED AND CARRION CROWS. 101

from having previously perceived that the last spe-
cies is exceedingly numerous about twenty miles
to the eastward, in the neighbourhood of Shoreham
and Brighton, where the carrion crow is, in its
turn, equally scarce. I may add that my subse-
quent observations have proved the above remarks
to be correct, and that they have been corrobo-
rated by the testimony of others whose attention I
had drawn to the subject.

This peculiarity in the local distribution of the
two species, while impelled by the same instinct
to frequent the shores of our county during the
winter months, is certainly remarkable. It can
hardly be attributed to mutual dislike or hostility.
The well-authenticated instances which are on
record of the hooded crow having paired with the
carrion crow in a wild state would refute such an_
idea.* Perhaps the varying character and aspect
of the country in the immediate vicinity of the sea
may afford a clew to unravel the mystery.

To the eastward, near Brighton, and for many
miles in that direction, the naked Downs approach
the coast, and present a considerable extent re-
sembling — at least in the absence of wood — the
native haunts of the hooded crow in Orkney and
Shetland. A natural predilection for such a

* See Terrell's ' History of British Birds.'

102 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

country may therefore induce these birds to
prefer the neighbourhood of this treeless tract to
the wooded and highly cultivated region which
extends to the very shore in the more western
part of Sussex; and admitting this conjecture to
be correct, the partiality of the carrion crow to
the latter district may be accounted for in a simi-
lar manner.

I should have observed that carrion crows, even
where they occur in the greatest numbers during
the winter months, as at Pagham harbour and
the inlets of the sea to the south of Chichester,
seem always, more or less, to live in pairs, and
never assemble in large flocks, as hooded crows
are well known to do in the immediate neighbour-
hood of Brighton, and even on the beach between
the houses and the sea.

The food of both these birds, as well as that of
the raven, at this season of the year consists of
oysters, mussels, small crabs, marine insects?
worms and dead fish which are cast up by the
waves. Indeed even the rook is driven by the
same necessity to the sea-coast during the preva-
lence of severe frost, and partakes of the same
fare. At Pagham, in the vicinity of the oyster-
beds, I have frequently seen the carrion crow
ascend to a great height in the air with one of
these fish in his claws, and after letting it fall on

DEPARTURE FROM THE COAST. 103

the beach, descend rapidly with closed pinions,
and devour the contents, which, but for the shock
or fracture occasioned by the fall, he would have
been unable to disengage from the shell. I have
since observed the hooded crow, near Brighton,
resort to a similar expedient.

The latter birds make their appearance about
the beginning of October, haunting the upper
parts of the tide rivers at Shoreham and New-
haven, and the fields at some distance from the
coast, gradually becoming more gregarious and
more marine in their habits as winter approaches.
They assemble in considerable numbers every
night in a small plantation of fir trees, at Stanmer
Park, situated on an elevated portion of the de-
mesne. Those which haunt the shores in the
neighbourhood of Brighton seem to restrict them-
selves to this roosting-place ; at least I have not
been able to detect another within several miles of
that town.

These hooded crows depart rather suddenly for
the north about the latter end of March. I have
frequently noticed as many as thirty on the beach
opposite Brunswick Terrace, and in a few days
afterwards perhaps not one was to be seen. The
carrion crows commence their return from the
coast to the interior at a somewhat earlier period,
and, as might be expected from their having

104 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

sojourned in pairs during the winter, their disap-
pearance is not so sudden and simultaneous, but
they gradually become less numerous, until at last
they entirely desert the shores for the woods and
forests of the interior.

FALCONS. 105

LETTER X.

-" As a falcon from the rocky height,

Her quarry seen, impetuous at the sight,

Forth springing instant, darts herself from high,

Shoots on the wing, and skims along the sky."

POPE'S HOMER.

Peregrine Falcon — Eyrie at Beachy Head — Lofty Preci-
pice— Beachy Head in the Breeding Season — Jack-
daws— Guillemots and Razor-bills — Herring-gulls —
Kestrels — Waterfowl at Burton — " The Duck-hawk "
— Shooting a Friend for a Foe — Unexpected Cap-
ture— The Hobby a Miniature Peregrine — Hobby
and wounded Partridge — A good Specimen — Occur-
rences of the Hobby in Sussex.

THE sight of a falcon now-a-days — as the au-
thor of the ' Fauna of Norfolk ' justly remarks —
" is somewhat like that of the rusty mail or the
monument of a departed hero — the memories
of the past crowd upon the mind, when these
birds, now proscribed and almost annihilated
amongst us, were the favourites of ladies, and the
companions of princes."

F5

106 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

But even apart from romantic or sporting asso-
ciations, there is an air of independence and
an individuality of character about the Falconidce
that alone would render the group the most inte-
resting of the feathered tribes ; and when, besides
all this, we see them, like the aborigines of North
America, gradually yielding to the pressure of
what is called "civilization," and disappearing
from their native woods and mountain fastnesses
where a few years since they had it all their
own way, as the poor Indians among the prairies
of the West, a feeling of pity is superadded to our
regard for the persecuted race, and their habits,
manners, and even casual appearance, assume in
our eyes a twofold interest.

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) may
be considered rare in Sussex. As we have no in-
land precipices, and the coast to the westward of
Brighton is generally flat, the favourite haunts
of this bird lie to the eastward of that place. A
pair have from time immemorial bred near the
summit of one of the highest cliffs at Beachy
Head, and although the nest has frequently been
robbed of the young ones, and either of the parent
birds has occasionally fallen a victim to the trap
or gun, yet it is surprising with what pertinacity
the position is still held, and the right of tenure
kept up by the survivor, who in a short time finds

r it,

BEACHY HEAD IN THE BREEDING-SEASON. 107

a disengaged partner of the opposite sex, the lat-
ter at once entering upon the performance of its
duties as spouse or parent, as the case may be.

On my last visit to Beachy Head, I was much
struck by the watchful jealousy with which the
peregrines seemed to guard the particular cliff —
more than 500 feet above the sea — on a lofty
ledge of which their nest was situated, and which,
indeed, they evidently considered their own espe-
cial property : with the exception of a few jack-
daws who bustled out of the crevices below, all
the other birds which had now assembled on this
part of the coast for the breeding-season — it being
about the middle of May — seemed to respect the
territory of their warlike neighbours. The ad-
joining precipice, further westward, was occupied
by guillemots and razor-bills, who had deposited
their eggs, the former on the naked ledge, the
latter in the crannies in the face of the cliff. Here
the jackdaws appeared quite at their ease, their
loud, merry note being heard above every other
sound, as they flew in and out of the fissures
in the white rock, or sat perched on a pinnacle
near the summit, and leisurely surveyed the busy
crowd below. In a cliff still further to the west,
near Newhaven, another pair of peregrines have
also an eyrie, and an extensive colony of herring-
gulls is established, while in the same neighbour-

108 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

hood a pair of ravens annually rear their young ;
and the kestrel may be seen fluttering along the
margin, or dropping over the edge of the preci-
pice on his return to his own little establishment
from a mousing expedition into the interior.

All these birds, with the exception of the raven,
occasionally fall a prey to the peregrine ; his
rapacity when pressed by hunger or the calls of an
importunate family, is equalled only by his cou-
rage and audacity. I have seen him strike and
carry off a herring-gull, apparently with the most
perfect ease, and it would appear that he does not
scruple to make a meal of his congener, the
kestrel, in situations where the latter bird hap-
pens to be unusually abundant. A writer in
the ' Zoologist,'* — who seems to have had excel-
lent opportunities of observing the peregrine
during the breeding- season in the immediate
neighbourhood of his residence, and whose inte-
resting communication on its habits is well worthy
a perusal — says that it even evinces a partiality for
the poor kestrels which resort to the same cliffs on
the southern coast of the Isle of Wight.

The peregrine falcon is seldom seen in Sussex
during the summer months, the interior of the
county offering, as I have said, no spot favourable

* The Rev. C. Bury.

THE PEREGRINE AT BURTON. 109

for its eyrie ; indeed, except at Newbaven, I have
not been able to ascertain that a second pair
were established, even 011 the coast, during the
breeding-season, although the great locomotive
powers and wandering propensities of this bird
might induce a hasty observer to imagine that a
greater number were quartered on the cliffs be-
tween Brighton and Beachy Head.

During the latter part of the autumn the young
peregrines are banished by their parents from the
nest, arid being left to shift for themselves, com-
mence " the grand tour " on their own account.

These at first linger for awhile in the neigh-
bourhood of the scenes of their youth, but event-
ually scatter over the world, and doubtless it is
from their ranks that deficiencies, caused by
the death of older birds during subsequent breed-
ing-seasons, are supplied with such mysterious
rapidity.

A falcon of this species occasionally makes his
appearance during the winter in the neighbour-
hood of the lakes, or large ponds, in Burton Park,
about three miles south of Petworth. The banks
of these waters are covered with masses of reeds,
and abound at all seasons with wild ducks, teals,
coots and water-hens, whose numbers are rein-
forced during the winter by flocks of wigeon,
pochards, and scaup ducks, as well as by consi-

110 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

derable parties of their own species ; while a fair
sprinkling of snipes and woodcocks are found
along the higher margins, and among the nume-
rous grassy tussocks which extend far into the
swampy plantations near the borders of the upper
lake. The game in the surrounding woods and
the fishing being strictly preserved, these birds
dwell here in comparative security, and as the
waters furnish them with an abundant supply of
their natural food, they have no inducement to
wander beyond the precincts of the park. Great,
then, is the general consternation when the duck-
hawk* — as the old keeper calls him — makes his
appearance. Taking up his position on a tall
fir tree commanding a view of the pond, he selects
a victim from the terrified flock as they fly hur-
riedly along, dashes after it with incredible swift-
ness, sweeps it almost from the surface of the
water, and disappears with it among the neigh-
bouring reed-beds, while its companions, suddenly
veering round, return again, as if unwilling to
quit the spot which has so long afforded them a
safe asylum ; but after a day or two they become
thoroughly scared, and may be found among the
brooks in the open country : indeed the first

* The name by which the peregrine is also known in
America.

SHOOTING A FRIEND FOR A FOE. Ill

intimation I have frequently received of the pre-
sence of the peregrine at Burton, has been the
sudden appearance of several " wisps of snipe,"
even in open weather, among the low meadows at
a considerable distance ; and little parties of teal
and wild ducks congregating at every turn of the
river, where the high banks afforded them a
chance of concealment, and where, though com-
paratively exposed to greater danger, they might
be found until the death or expulsion of the
enemy from their old quarters.

Specimens of this falcon have been shot near
Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford, Pevensey, and Rye,
in the eastern, and in the neighbourhood of Chi-
chester, Petworth, and Arundel, in the western
division of the county. It has also occurred
occasionally, though rarely, in the wooded portion
of the weald. A friend of mine has one in his
possession which was shot in that part of the coun-
try by a farmer, who mistook it for a wood-pigeon,
immense flocks of which abound there during the
acorn season. On the present occasion the man
was endeavouring to protect his ripe peas from
their depredations, and for this purpose, having
concealed himself behind a tree, and placed a
stuffed pigeon, as a decoy, in the middle of the
field, he awaited the arrival of the first party that
might pass within reach of his gun. He had not

112 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

been there long before a peregrine falcon swept
by, and made a dash at the lure, but discovering
his mistake, almost at the very moment when he
seemed to strike it, rose with the quickness of
thought, and flew into a tree about thirty yards
from the spot where the farmer lay concealed.
The latter, who still imagined it to be a wood-
pigeon — never before having seen a peregrine —
fired, and killed the falcon, thus unconsciously
destroying his best friend, and depriving himself
of a most powerful ally in thinning the ranks
of his feathered enemies.

A falcon was caught in a singular situation
last September at the farm of Saddlescombe,
between Shoreham and the Devil's Dyke. While
engaged in taking sparrows under the thatched
eaves of a barn, the farmer was surprised at the
sudden plunge of a heavier body into the net,
whose violent struggles among the meshes, and
the liberal use of its sharp claws, at first induced
him to believe that he had captured a cat. It
turned out, however, to be a peregrine — a bird of
the year.

Although, from a general similarity both in as-
pect and structure, the hobby (Falco subbuteo]
has been correctly styled a miniature peregrine,
yet, unlike that species, it prefers the wooded
district of the weald to the Downs or the open

HOBBY AND WOUNDED PARTRIDGE. 113

country near the coast; being here a summer
visitor, and occasionally taking up his quarters in
the nest of a carrion crow. Yet even in these his
favourite haunts, he must be considered scarce,
and you will rarely discover his decaying form
among the rows of defunct hawks which garnish
the gable end of the keeper's cottage — a sort of
ornithological register which would appear to in-
dicate, with tolerable accuracy, the prevalence or
scarcity of any species of raptorial bird in its
immediate neighbourhood.

The courage and address of this hawk are re-
markable. When shooting with a friend a few
years ago, during the early part of September, we
observed a hobby pursuing a partridge, which,
having been wounded in the spine, was then in
the act of " towering." The little fellow proved
himself to be a true falcon, by the rapidity with
which he rose above his quarry in rapid circles,
"climbing to the mountee," as our ancestors
termed this manoeuvre, with all the ease of a pere-
grine. Unfortunately at this juncture the par-
tridge became suddenly lifeless — as is the case
with all towering birds — and fell to the ground,
while the hobby, apparently disdaining to accept
a victim which he had not obtained by his own
exertions, scudded away after a fresh covey which
just then rose from the farther end of an adjoining

114 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

stubble field, and we lost sight of him for a short
time as he dashed after the frightened birds into
a thick wood where they had hurried for pro-
tection. His pursuit, however, must have been
unsuccessful, for he soon reappeared, following
the dogs as they quartered the field, and evidently
keeping a watchful eye on their movements ; but
unfortunately, passing within an imprudent dis-
tance of my companion, was unrelentingly bag-
ged by him. I must, however, plead guilty to
having last summer shot a bird of this species
myself a few miles to the north-east of Petworth.
It was in a wild, unenclosed part of the country,
on the brow of a steep hill, covered with fern and
studded with spreading oaks and large holly trees.
I was admiring the unusual size of the latter, and
that beautiful provision of Nature, only to be seen
to advantage in full-grown hollies, by which the
foliage on the lower branches, which drooped
upon the ground, was protected by a spiny armour
from the half-starved flocks around — the upper
leaves, which were out of their reach, being at the
same time quite destitute of prickles — when a
turtle dove suddenly dashed by, closely pursued
by a hobby, which, from his black cheeks and red
thighs, I saw at a glance was a male in full nuptial
plumage. My first impulse was to stand still
and watch the sport, but a conviction that I

HOBBY AND TURTLE DOVE. 115

should lose sight of both birds among the trees,
and a recollection that such a specimen would
form a valuable addition to my cabinet, altered
my plans in a moment, and I had just time to
bring him down with a snap-shot as he turned
suddenly after the dove, which had already disap-
peared behind an oak. However, if the country
had been more open, so as to have admitted of a
view of the chase, 1 might perhaps have allowed
him to pursue his quarry unmolested.

In the eastern division of the county the hobby
has been killed near Battle, Pevensey and Lewes;
it has also occurred more frequently in various
parts of the weald, and has been met with
occasionally on the south side of the Downs.
There is a specimen in the Chichester museum
which was shot at Halnaker in September, 1836,
and I have observed it near the great beech
woods on the higher Downs during the autumn :
indeed it is at this season that the hobby has
been generally killed. They then evidently visit
this southern county in common with so many of
our summer visitors who intend to pass the winter
months in a more genial climate.

116 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

LETTER XI.

" Nature teaches beasts to know tbeir friends."

CORIOLANUS.

The Merlin— Stealthy Mode of Approach — Merlin and
Redwings — Occurrences in Sussex — Merlin on Snipe
Bogs — Chase of wounded Snipe — A valuable Ally —
Sport in Company — Good Understanding — A New
Confederate — Tactics of the Jack-Snipe.

THE merlin (Falco JEsalon) is a winter visitor
to Sussex, and seems as partial to the bleak and
exposed situations near the coast as is the hobby
to the woods of the interior. I do not remember
having ever seen this little falcon among the
covers on the clay soils of West Sussex, but I have
observed it in the wilder portions of the forest
range to the east of Horsham, near Crawley and
Worth. It also occurs on various parts of the
sandstone formation immediately to the north of
the Downs, more especially where it spreads into
wide heaths, as in the neighbourhood of Rogate,
Midhurst, Duncton, Parham and Henfield ; on
most of which I have noticed this bird.

THE MERLIN. 117

In a partially enclosed country it flies low but
rapidly when foraging for prey, and I have more
than once seen it exhibit great skill in masking
its approach on such occasions ; skirting some
thick hedge or high bank for a considerable way,
at the other side of which it had apparently
marked a party of larks or starlings feeding in an
open field. On scuds the little hawk, and so
accurately does he calculate his distance, that
when he arrives opposite the spot where the birds
are regaling in fancied security, he suddenly
drops over the fence and strikes a victim in a
moment.

I once observed a female of this species at
Kelsom Moor, near Petworth, when the heath was
covered with snow, skimming along under the
brow of a hill, so close to the ground as almost to
touch her own shadow, strongly cast as it was
and well defined by the sunshine on the white
surface. She continued this course for some
time, and then, suddenly veering to the left, rose
rapidly above a clump of holly-bushes and made
a dash at a flock of redwings which were feasting
on the coral-like bunches of berries that covered
the branches, but missing her swoop, she soon
singled out a bird for a fresh experiment, and
as if ashamed of her former system of tactics, had
recourse at once to open warfare, pressing her

118 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

quarry so severely that it was obliged to mount
aloft, its only' chance of escape being to keep
above its pursuer ; but all in vain ; it proved less
expert at this manosuvre than the lark or even the
snipe, and after a short flight was clutched by the
merlin, who, as she came over my head in her ra-
pid descent towards a rough, broken part of the
moor at a little distance, appeared scarcely larger
than the bird in her talons.

I have observed this species during the winter
in the neighbourhood of the coast at Pagham and
Selsey, and on the Downs eastward of Brighton ;
it has been killed near Hastings, Uckfield and
Rye, and has occurred in other parts of the
county. I once met with an immature specimen
at Upwaltham, on the hills between Petworth and
Chichester, as early as October, but this I con-
sider an unusual occurrence. Adult males* are
exceedingly rare, almost all that I have examined
were females or birds of the year, and I have not
been able to ascertain that it ever breeds in this
county.

I cannot refrain from introducing here an epi-
sode illustrative of the sagacity and fearlessness

* In North Wales young merlins are called stone-falcons,
a term which Mr. Yarrell informs us should be restricted
to the old males. In Sussex it is generally applied to
male sparrowhawks during the winter.

SNIPE-SHOOTING. 119

of this little falcon, as it is the result of my own
observation, although in a part of the British
Islands very remote from that in which I now
write.

Some years ago, when snipe-shooting on a
range of strictly preserved bogs in the west of
Ireland, the merlin was, I may say, my daily com-
panion. I find, by reference to memoranda of
that date, that I commenced operations in the
beginning of November, generally taking the field
about eleven o'clock in the morning, and bagging
on an average from ten to twenty couple of snipes
during the day, besides a few hares, woodcocks and
wild ducks. I well remember the first time the
merlin made his appearance with the obvious in-
tention of sharing my sport. I had just entered
one of those wet moors — surrounded by partially
cultivated land — which in favourable weather are
much more productive of sport than the extensive
" red bogs," when a couple of snipe rose near the
margin. Bang, bang, went both my barrels,
and while one bird fell dead, the other, slightly
but perceptibly wounded, ascended to a consider-
able height, and from the direction of its flight
was evidently preparing to drop in a marsh which
I had just left. While my eyes were fixed upon
its movements, I perceived a merlin advancing
rapidly towards it, and struggling through the air,

120 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

as if afraid that in spite of its exertions it would
still be too late. The snipe, although wounded,
yet attempted to ascend higher, but finding itself
unequal to the task, yielded, as it were, to the
breeze which was blowing freshly at the moment,
and — contrary to its usual habit — flying down
wind with extraordinary rapidity, seemed to trust
to speed for its escape : but swift as it was, its
enemy was swifter still, and when after the lapse
of a few seconds the two birds had become mere
specks in the distant sky, I could perceive that
one of these gradually gained on the other,
touched it, and then both melted into one larger
dot, which slowly descended to the ground.

"Ah '."cried my Celtic attendant, "that's the
snipe hawk " — using an Irish word which I now
forget, but which, when interpreted, bore that
signification — "and a brave little chap he is."
Then suddenly turning round, he bestowed a vol-
ley of curses — varied with a few whistles — on a
wild young setter who was galloping incontinently
over the yet unbeaten ground, turning a deaf ear
to all Pat's imprecations, while she treated with
equal disregard the significant movements of old
Pluto, who, with stiff tail and protruded muzzle,
was advancing cautiously towards a bed of rushes,
and just beginning to settle down into a comfort-
able point. I need hardly tell you that at that

A VALUABLE ALLY. 121

moment the hawk was forgotten for the snipe, and it
was not until the afternoon, in a distant bog, that I
again recognized my little friend, the merlin, hover-
ing about, and every now and then appearing about
to leave us, but as quickly returning, and evidently
hanging on in expectation of our starting some
of his favourite game. As for the snipe, they lay
like stones while he continued overhead ; old Pluto
pointed them one after another, even Fan conde-
scended to "back," and I had to kick them up
under the nose of the former, as they sprang
reluctantly from the rushes, and presented a suc-
cession of the most satisfactory shots imaginable ;
which was the more gratifying as they had been
unusually wild during the previous part of the
day. After bagging several, at last one rose at a
considerable distance — quite out of shot — and
away went the merlin after it. We watched the
chase for a long time, both birds appearing
equally matched, but they disappeared before it
came to a close, and the shades of evening soon
afterwards reminded me that I had five miles to
walk home before dinner.

Well, on my return a few days afterwards, there
was the merlin again on the same bog ! I could
perceive him, as I topped a hill which commanded
an extensive view of the country, scudding along
towards us in a joyous sort of flight, as if to say

G

122 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

" you are welcome, I have been waiting for you
a long time, come and begin at once." And truly
he was more confiding than ever, following me
from one marsh to another, and evidently dis-
tinguishing and appreciating the respective perfor-
mances of man and dog. It was not long before
he discovered that the capture of a wounded
snipe was attended with far less trouble to him
than the pursuit of a sound one, and he soon be-
came so fastidious in this respect as to allow
those birds which were sprung out of shot to
depart without giving chase to them, while he
looked to me to put such a detainer on some of
those which rose near me as should render the
completion of the work an easy matter for him.

When a snipe was killed dead he never med-
dled with it, but if it fluttered and fell at a dis-
tance he would frequently drop on it as it touched
the ground, and begin plucking and devouring it.
I made it a rule never to interfere with him on
such occasions, unless I wished to keep his
talents in reserve for an aerial exhibition, in
which case the nimble-footed Pat would run for-
ward and bag the snipe as quickly as possible,
before the little hawk had fairly commenced his
meal; although when he perceived our intention
he would generally succeed in carrying it to some
distance, expostulating all the time, with loud

A NEW CONFEDERATE. 123

and angry shrieks, at what he evidently considered
a breach of our compact.

After my third or fourth visit to those bogs the
merlin was always there to receive me, and was
subsequently joined by a companion, a female,
both of them continuing to attend me in all my
snipe-shooting expeditions on that side of the
country. Sometimes, at the very commencement
of the day's sport, I might perhaps be unaccom-
panied by my little friends, but the first report of
my gun was generally sufficient to summon one or
both of them to my presence, and a wounded
snipe, however slightly touched by the shot, had
no chance of escape from their united efforts.
First one would rise above it in a succession of
circular gyrations — for he was unable to ascend
in such a direct line as the snipe — then he would
make a swoop, and if he missed, his companion,
who in the mean time had been working upwards
in a similar manner, would next try her luck, and
in this manner they would pursue the quarry, un-
til the persecuted bird, unable to ascend higher
or any longer avoid the fatal stroke, was at last
clutched by one of the little falcons, while the
other would hasten to " bind to it," and all three
descend together into the bog. After a perform-
ance of this sort an hour would occasionally elapse
before the return of either of the merlins —

G2

124 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

sometimes more, sometimes less — but they never
seemed willing to give up the sport until at least
three snipes had fallen to their own share.

The jack-snipes (Scolopax gallinula) which
were tolerably abundant, but which I seldom con-
sidered worth shooting, used to endeavour to
evade the deadly stroke of the merlin in a very
different manner from that adopted by the com-
mon or "full" snipe, as it is there termed, and
with far greater success. Difficult to spring at ah1
times, it was almost impossible to start this cun-
ning little fellow from the heath when his enemy
was on the wing : indeed, without the co-operation
of Pluto the attempt would have been utterly
futile ; but when the steady gaze of that infallible
quadruped continued to be rivetted on a particular
bit of ground, on every inch of which you had al-
ready trod except the very one under his nose?
then might you have staked your existence that
on that identical spot a jack-snipe lay squatted,
and when at last discovered and started, instead
of flying boldly away and endeavouring to escape
by power of wing, this little fellow would perform
a puzzling zigzag sort of movement for forty or
fifty yards, utterly mystifying the merlin, and then
suddenly dropping on the ground, would defy us
all — except Pluto — to discover his whereabouts
again.

PARTING FROM OLD FRIENDS. 125

I shall never forget my last day's snipe-shooting
there, or my farewell look at the merlins. I may
say, without affectation, that I parted from them
with sincere regret. They had been my com-
panions for more than two months, had not only
shared my sport, but had added very materially to
it, by affording me a contemplation of theirs ; and
they convinced me that a friendly, if not a familiar
intercourse might be established between man and
many wild animals which now shun his presence,
without any greater sacrifice on his part, than the
simple observance of that golden precept,

"Live and let live."

126 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

LETTER XII.

Un mauant au miroir prenait des oisillons,
Le fantome brillant attire une alouette."

LA FONTAINE.

Netting and Killing Larks near Brighton — Two Modes
— Autumnal Migration — " Chasse au miroir " — De-
scriptive Sketch — Lark-netting in the Winter —
Mode of Capture — Dark Nights — " Experientia
docet."

THERE are two modes of killing larks in the
neighbourhood of Brighton which are worth
noticing. The one lucrative, and adopted by
professional birdcatchers ; attended moreover with
a certain degree of labour and hardship, and re-
quiring some skill and perseverance : the other a
comparatively idle occupation, or amusement, and
as repugnant to the feelings of the true sportsman
as are the piscatory achievements of a punt-
anchored cockney to the salmon-fisher of Con-
nemara ! Nevertheless, as an indulgence in this
pastime is very general during three or four weeks
in the year, and as it involves the consideration
of a peculiar instinct or habit in the bird itself,

LARK-GLASS. 127

I feel tempted to give you a brief description
of it.

The soi-disant sportsman provides himself with
a certain implement called a lark-glass, which may
be fashioned in different ways, according to the
taste or whim of the fabricator. The following is
a rough sketch from a highly approved article of
this kind — a regular syren in its way — which had
lured many thousands to their doom.

A piece of wood about a foot and a half long,
four inches deep, and three inches wide, is planed
off on two sides so as to resemble the roof of a
well-known toy yclept a Noah's ark, but more than
twice its usual length. In the sloping sides are
set several bits of looking-glass. An iron spindle,
the lower end of which is sharp and fixed in the
ground, passes freely through the centre ; on this
the instrument turns, and even spins rapidly when
a string has been attached and is pulled by the
performer, who generally stands at a distance of
fifteen or twenty yards from the decoy. The re-
flection of the sun's rays from these little revolving
mirrors seems to possess a mysterious attraction
for the larks, for they descend in great numbers
from a considerable height in the air, hover over
the spot, and suffer themselves to be shot at re-
peatedly without attempting to leave the field or to
continue their course.

128 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

It is during the autumnal migration of the larks,
which generally commences about the 20th of
September and continues until the end of October,
that this mode of warfare is in vogue. The direc-
tion taken by the larks in this periodical flight is
exactly the reverse of that observed by almost all
the warblers at the same season, being from east
to west; and a moderate breeze from the latter
point, accompanied by sunshine, ensures what is
called " good sport " by those who can find
amusement in this occupation. The fields in the
neighbourhood of the coast on both sides of the
town, are haunted by various parties of gunners
from the hour of sunrise until ten or eleven
o'clock, about which time the great flights of larks
cease or diminish, and there is no small degree of
competition among the performers for what are
considered the best places; four or five parties
sometimes occupying one field, and as many
shooters being attached to one lark-glass : but
notwithstanding the crowd, and the noise of voices
mingled with the continual roar of guns, the in-
fatuated birds advance stupidly to their doom,
hover in numbers over the decoy, and present the
easiest possible mark to the veriest tyro that ever
pulled a trigger.

To any one, however, witnessing it for the first
time, the spectacle is sufficiently curious. Perhaps

CHASSE AU MIROIR. 129

at this moment, the shooters, having all reloaded
during a pause in the battle, are awaiting the
approach of the next detachment. The newly
arrived stranger casts his eyes about and seefe
heaps of the dead and dying, but nothing as yet
on the wing to explain the meaning of all those
anxious upturned glances that he notices around
him. Presently a voice exclaims " Here they
are, look out ! " and a cluster of dark specks be-
comes visible at a great distance. In a few mo-
ments he perceives that this is a flock of larks :
but surely it is not possible that they will notice
that miserable toy which is now spinning rapidly,
urged by the frantic exertions of a gentleman in
bright yellow gaiters and bran-new shooting-coat,
crossed with a virgin shot-belt, who pulls the
string violently with one hand, while with the
other he wields his full-cocked gun as carelessly
as if it were a shillelagh ! He is mistaken : they
suddenly descend with rapidly closed pinions, to
Within a few yards of the very spot where he
stands, or perhaps to a rival lure in the same or in
an adjoining field, and, hovering over it in appa-
rent delight and admiration, patiently suffer them-
selves to be shot at and massacred in considerable
numbers.

The birds thus killed are comparatively lean
and worthless, not fetching, in the market, within

G5

130 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

fourpence a dozen of the price usually demanded
for those which are taken by lark-nets during the
winter months.

I must now say a few words on the latter mode
of capture, as practised in the neighbourhood of
Brighton, where these birds form a very consi-
derable article of traffic, and hang in numerous
bunches at all the poulterers' stalls in the town
and market. The season is from October to
March. A net is provided about twenty-five
yards long, and from sixteen to eighteen feet
wide, with meshes of about an inch and a half in
diameter; this net is strengthened by eight lines
of a stronger cord, which cross it longitudinally at
regular intervals, and terminate at both ends in
large loops, which project a few inches beyond the
net itself. Through these loops a long and tough
pole is passed at either extremity, and the per-
formers, two of whom are necessary, each grasping
a pole with both hands, pull in opposite direc-
tions so as to stretch the net to its utmost ; then,
standing face to face, and suffering one end of
each of their poles to touch the ground, while the
other is inclined forwards at an angle of about
forty- five degrees, in the direction towards which
they are about to advance, they commence ope-
rations by sweeping the ground until a lark is
felt to flutter in the net, when it is immediately

LARK-NETTING IN THE WINTER. 131

suffered to fall and the prisoner secured. Some
attention to the direction of the wind is necessary;
if possible, it should pass obliquely ; if it were to
blow directly into the net, it would cause it to
bag too much, and resist their progress ; and if
from behind, it would carry the middle portion
too much forward, and moreover alarm the birds
prematurely.

Dark nights are necessary for this work ; stubble
and clover fields and meadows furnish the best
supply of larks, but the respective value of each
of these localities depends on the previous state
of the weather, and in this the old wary netter
has a great advantage over the beginner, who
frequently toils through many a cold night in vain,
until dear-bought experience at last places him
among the knowing ones of his calling. If the
previous day has been wet, larks are not found in
wheat stubbles, but in thick rank meadows, and
along the higher brows of grassy fields, where
they lie very close until touched by the lower
edge of the net. In fine weather the reverse of
this occurs; meadows would then furnish but
little sport, for the larks collect in the stubbles,
and are taken in great numbers, although they
do not lie so close as in the former situations.
Strange to say, during the prevalence of storm
and rain the exposed side of a hill is usually

132 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

preferred to the sheltered; and in the little low
valleys, where one would expect the birds to con-
gregate at such a time, the lark-catcher would
toil in vain.

No bird is so easily netted as the lark; he
generally starts from the ground just before the
lower edge of the net touches him, and invariably
mounts perpendicularly. This characteristic pro-
pensity to ascend at once may be observed by
any person who " treads up " a lark in a field, and
satisfactorily illustrated by releasing, at the same
moment, a newly captured lark and a sparrow
from a cage or hat within the precincts of a room.
While the sparrow will fly off horizontally, dash
himself against the window, and lie almost stunned
from the shock, the lark will generally mount up-
wards to the ceiling,* and flutter there for a time,
in vain efforts to reach the sky, before he attempts
any other mode of exit: but this habit is fatal
to him in the netting season ; he might frequently
escape, as indeed the bunting, — or clod-bird, —

* Since the first publication of the ' Rambles ' I have
met with the following remark in Bechstein's ' Natural
History of Cage Birds.' " The top of the cage (the lark's)
should be of linen, since from its tendency to rise for
flight it would run the risk of wounding its head against a
covering of wood or iron wire, especially before it is well
tamed."

LARK-NETTING IN THE WINTER. 133

the sparrow and the linnet constantly do, by
flying straight forward ; but ascending, as he
does, directly from the ground, the moment his
wings have touched the upper part of the net, it is
suffered to drop suddenly, and his capture is then
inevitable.

134 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

LETTER XIII.

" More pity that the eagle should be mewed,
While kites and buzzards prey at liberty,"

RICHARD III.

Misapplication of the term vulgaris — The Kite a rare Bird
— Its graceful Flight — Occurrence in Sussex — For-
merly abundant in the Weald — Honey Buzzard —
Characteristic Timber of the Downs and of the
Weald — Charlton Forest — Rencontre and Feast
disturbed — The Common Buzzard an uncommon
Bird — The Puttock — Frequent but Erroneous Use
of the Name of " Buzzard " — Anecdote in Point —
The Saddle on the wrong Horse — A Gamekeeper's
Ornithology.

WITH all due respect for the king of the birds,
I cannot but reflect with regret that the quotation
which I have prefixed to this letter is not as
applicable to our own days as to those of
Shakspeare: in fact, the specific term vulgaris,
or common, however appropriate it may have
been formerly, is now in numerous instances mis-
applied to many of our British birds ; and this
remark will hold good in a general as well as
in a local sense; in most parts of England as

THE KITE. 135

well as in Sussex ; for where is " the common
kite," " the common buzzard," or " the common
bittern " of frequent occurrence now-a-days ?

As to the kite (Milvus vulgaris), I have never
yet been able to obtain a glimpse of it in the wild
state in any part of this county, though I have
seen it many years ago in Oxfordshire, once in
Derbyshire, and occasionally in North Wales. I
never met with it in Ireland, and am not aware
that it has been seen there.

They who have once had the good fortune to
behold this beautiful bird on the wing have seldom
been able to refrain from expressing their admira-
tion of its surpassingly graceful flight, coupled
perhaps with sorrow, or some stronger feeling, at
the continued persecution which has almost ba-
nished it from the woods of England, and must
ere long effectually extirpate it as an indigenous
species.

I am able to record only two instances of its
occurrence in this county, at least such as I con-
sider authentic. The late Mr. Dodd of Chich ester,
an accurate observer, favoured me, some years
since, with a notice that a bird of this kind had
been killed at Siddlesham, on the borders of
Pagham harbour.

In 1843 a kite was shot at and wounded by the
bailiff on the farm of Withdean, about four miles

136 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

from Brighton, near the London road; being
only winged, it was kept alive for some time in a
garden. I had no opportunity of examining it,
either at that time or after its death, as the preser-
vation of the skin had been neglected ; but from
the accounts which I received from persons who
had frequently seen it, and who particularly no-
ticed the forked tail, I have no doubt that it was
an example of that now rare visitor the kite.

I have ascertained that this species was compa-
ratively common in Sussex, about the beginning
of this century. All the old inhabitants of the
weald remember the " forky-tailed kite," but I am
sorry to say that among the rural population of
that district its disappearance is not so much a
matter of regret as with ornithologists ; they still
speak of it as the most fearless marauder of the
whole tribe of predatorial birds ; and say that such
was its partiality for juvenile poultry, that having
once favoured any particular farm-yard with a
domiciliary visit, its attentions were sure to be
continued, unless shot or trapped in the interim,
as long as a single young chicken remained to
follow the hens :

" * * Le Milan, manifesto voleur,
Eut repandu 1'alarme en tout le voisinage,
Et fait crier sur lui les enfans du village."

LA FONTAINE.

THE HONEY BUZZARD. 137

The honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) is of
course here, as everywhere else, a scarce bird;
but decidedly less so than either the kite or the
common buzzard. Being now* only an acci-
dental visitor from the southern and south-eastern
parts of the continent, and generally during the
latter portion of the summer and autumn, it has
escaped the exterminating process which has so
long been in force against all our indigenous birds
of prey, and I may say that a year seldom elapses
without the occurrence of a specimen in this
county. I had once an opportunity of observing
the honey buzzard in the wild state ; it was in
the month of August, 1843, when riding through
Charlton Forest, which extends over a consider-
able portion of the Downs to the north of Good-
wood. Here the character of the country is very
different from that of the weald. In the latter the
oak is predominant, and the surface of the ground
is covered with dense thickets of underwood,
chiefly composed of the same tree mingled with
masses of blackthorn and hazel, while in the more

* White of Selborne tells us that a pair of honey buz-
zards built their nest, during the summer of 1780, on a
tall, slender beech tree in a hanger near his residence. I
have not been able to discover that it has ever bred in
Sussex, or in the adjoining county of Hampshire, since
that period.

138 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

open parts of that region the undulating surface is
covered with heather, fern and gorse, and the
holly vies with the oak in forming those detached
and broken clumps which add so materially to the
picturesque effect of such scenery. But Charlton
Forest is almost exclusively composed of beech
trees, whose tall and naked stems rise to a consi-
derable height from the mossy ground, and then,
spreading out into a net-work of branches and
foliage, form a canopy overhead nearly impene-
trable to the rays of the sun.

When riding through its glades on a fine au-
tumnal evening, you might almost fancy yourself
carried back to the days of Robin Hood, and
expect every instant to see a goodly buck dart
across your path, followed by the bold outlaw
himself and " his merry men " in hot pursuit.

I was indulging in some such reverie of " the
olden time," when my attention was attracted by
the appearance of a large raptorial bird about
thirty yards off, apparently devouring its prey at
the foot of a beech tree. So intently was it occu-
pied, that it either did not remark or disregarded
my approach, until I had advanced sufficiently
near to perceive that it was a honey buzzard in
the act of tearing up the soil above a wasp's nest,
which it had discovered in an angle formed by
two of the exposed horizontal roots of the tree ;

THE HONEY BUZZARD. 139

when, desisting from its work, it ran rapidly for
ten or fifteen yards, and then rising with apparent
reluctance, sailed away on noiseless wing down
one of the open alleys of the forest, keeping near
the ground like the hen-harrier, until I lost sight
of it behind a little hill at the farther extremity of
a long vista.

I should imagine this to have been an immature
bird, the state of the plumage, as far as I could
observe, corresponding with Mr. Jenyns's descrip-
tion of the young of the year, the head and upper
parts being variegated with white spots ; but in-
deed such extraordinary variety of plumage does
the honey buzzard present, that I have never yet
seen two specimens which exactly resembled each
other, having no rival in this respect among British
birds, except that feathered harlequin of the fens,
the ruff.

The generic characters of the honey buzzard,
which appear to have been first appreciated by
Cuvier, are sufficiently obvious in a recently killed
or in a preserved specimen ; but even at the dis-
tance at which I observed this bird when on the
ground — although too far to perceive the feathered
lore, the reticulated tarsi, or the partially curved
claws — there was something about its manner
and bearing which was remarkable. Instead of
the hop of the sparrowhawk or the leap of the

140 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

falcon, and the erect attitude of those birds, its
mode of progression was a rapid run, after the
fashion of a lapwing, the head being at the same
time partially depressed ; and altogether there was
an humble and subdued look about it which was
quite sufficient to distinguish it from the more
martial members of the family.

One or two specimens of the honey buzzard
were obtained some years ago in the neighbour-
hood of Arundel, but I am unable to record any
very recent instance of its occurrence on the
south side of the Downs. It would appear to
prefer the more central and northern parts of the
county and the forest range of the weald. There
are two Sussex-killed examples in the possession
of Mr. William Borrer, of Cowfold. One of these,
which was shot in September, 1845, on Poyning's
Common, is of very remarkable plumage ; the
upper part of the head, the wings and the tail
being of a dark brown, and all the rest of a beau-
tiful creamy white or light straw-colour: and a
specimen in my own collection, which was
obtained during the autumn of 1841, between
Henfield and Horsham, both in aspect and the
general state of the plumage has very much the
look of a gigantic cuckoo when viewed at a mode-
rate distance.

In the forest of St. Leonard a bird of this

THE COMMON BUZZARD. 141

species has also been shot by Mr. Aldridge's
gamekeeper, and it has been met with occasionally
still further to the eastward, between Ashdown
Forest and the borders of Kent.

The common buzzard (Buteo vulguris] is far
more rare ; I have never been able to meet with
it among the woods where it was once a well-
known species, nor have I as yet succeeded in
obtaining one within the limits of the county.* I
have, however, examined two or three recent ex-
amples which had been shot in Sussex, and seen
a few cabinet specimens which were so highly
prized by their possessors as to be unattainable.
It would appear to be even more scarce in other
parts of England. Mr. Waterton speaks of it as
extinct in Yorkshire. He says, "In 1813 I had
my last sight of the buzzard ; " and the Rev. R.
Lubbock, in his ' Fauna of Norfolk,' considers it
equally rare in that county. He thus writes : —
" The common buzzard (Buteo vulgaris) is in
these days anything but a common bird. Old
books of Natural History speak of it as the most
common of hawks. It is so no longer, its size
and sluggish habits expose it to observation, and

* I have since received a Sussex-killed specimen, which
was shot in December, 1848, at Stanmer Park, by Mr.
Libbeter, the son of Lord Chichester's bailiff.

142 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

consequent destruction. It used frequently to
breed in this county in the larger woods, but what
few specimens now occur seem to be occasional
stragglers in the autumn, and birds of the year."

There is no doubt that this bird was formerly
very numerous among the great oak woods of the
weald of Sussex, and many of the aged inhabi-
tants of that district have told me that they
remember " the puttock " as well as the " forky-
tailed kite"* in the days of their youth, but that
the former was the more common species. The
surname of" Puttock," which here signified " buz-
zard," is of frequent occurrence among the fami-
lies of the labouring population in the western
portion of the weald, in the neighbourhood of
Kirdford and Billinghurst, where the characteris-
tic simplicity and many forms of expression de-
rived from their Saxon ancestors still prevail to a
great degree.

In other parts of the county the ring-tail — or
female hen-harrier — is indiscriminately called a
buzzard or a kite, and the various stages of plu-
mage observable in the male of this bird and its
congeners, in their progress to maturity, appear
to have originated as many imaginary species.

* In some counties the kite and the buzzard were indis-
criminately called puttocks. Vide Yarrell.

ANECDOTE. 143

The fact is, that in the good old times when all
these hawks abounded in the land, so little atten-
tion had been paid to the study of Natural
History, that specific distinctions were exceed-
ingly vague and obscure ; a slight resemblance in
colour being frequently considered a greater proof
of affinity between two individuals than similarity
of form and structure : and this error, increased
by the ever-varying state of the plumage in imma-
ture birds of this family, gave rise to a host of
provincial names, which in most cases have sur-
vived the ordinary occurrence of the species to
which they were originally applied ; and the
mysteries of which — with oral tradition alone for
a guide — none but an ornithological CEdipus
could ever hope to unravel.

About two winters ago, I had been shooting
during the greater part of a bright, frosty day with
a friend on one of the wild beats in the weald, and
after a good, old fashioned, fagging day's sport,
in which pheasants, woodcocks, hares and rabbits
had contributed in fair proportions to our bag, we
were returning to the farm where our horses had
been put up in the morning, with a team of tired
spaniels lagging at our heels, and had just reached
the extremity of a large cover, when my eyes
rested on the form of a green woodpecker, nailed
against an old oak tree, among several rows of

144 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

jays and magpies, which encircled the trunk,
while the lifeless forms of sundry stoats and wea-
sels, and here and there the swollen body of a
vagabond cat dangled from the boughs around.

The sight of this beautiful and even useful bird
— the woodpecker — condemned along with the
ordinary felons of the game calendar, and exhi-
bited, in terrorem, on the same Tyburn-tree,
seldom fails to excite my indignation, and to elicit
something warmer than a blessing on the head of
the executioner ; but happening to be, on the
present occasion, in a particularly good humour
with the keeper, as is apt to be the case when the
sport has been good and " the powder straight," I
quietly expostulated with him, and endeavoured
to prove the manifest cruelty of placing the wood-
pecker on his black list, by pointing out the really
insectivorous habits of the bird. To do him jus-
tice, he listened patiently for a time, until warming
with my subject, I endeavoured to include jays in
my "bill of indemnity," when his patience gave
way, and I soon perceived that I had sunk very
considerably in his estimation. Why, I might as
well, he assured me, attempt to defend " that 'ere
buzzard-hawk that he trapped last night." "Buz-
zard-hawk !" I exclaimed, " I see nothing like a
buzzard, or even a hawk, on yonder tree, except
the wings and tails of a few kestrels that flutter in

A GAMEKEEPER'S ORNITHOLOGY. 145

the breeze under their featherless skulls ; and they,
too, have no right to a place in this Golgotha,
for they do not hurt the game." " No," replied
he, " he is not there, but at the farther end of the
wood, where I trapped him, and where he now
hangs from the branch of a tiller :* he was the
plague of my life last summer, and took more
young pheasants from under the coops than all
the other varmint put together."

"Oh!" said I, "you mean the sparrowhawk."
"Oh no!" he "know'd that chap too, well enough,
but it wa'nt he." So to satisfy my curiosity, and
perhaps obtain a recent specimen of a rare bird —
which, indeed, any individual of the Falconidce
larger than the sparrowhawk has now become — I
bade adieu to my friend, and returned with the
keeper to a distant part of the wood which we had
just quitted. As we threaded our way through the
narrow, tortuous paths, or shooting-roads, that in-
tersected the thickest parts of the cover, I had
ample time for conjecture as to the species of
the promised prize. I should have concluded
that it was a female of one of the harriers, were it
not that these birds, sufficiently rare in all locali-
ties, had never, to my knowledge, been observed
in this thickly-wooded portion of the weald, and

* A young growing tree.

146 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

that even in the more open and moorland parts of
the country where they have occasionally oc-
curred, their depredations were of a less deter-
mined character than those ascribed by the keeper
to the bird in question; but just as I had almost
succeeded in persuading myself into the belief
that it might, after all, turn out to be a real
buzzard, the voice of my companion interrupted
my reflections, and looking up, I saw him point-
ing exultingly to — a large female sparrowhawk,
which hung from the extremity of a branch, one
of the slender shoots of which had been twisted in
Jack-Ketch fashion round the neck of the bird.

I need hardly add that my attempts to rectify
the error under which he laboured were lost upon
this uncompromising exterminator of winged ver-
min, or that I failed to convince him that his
<c buzzard-hawk" was in reality the lawful partner
of what he contemptuously termed the "little chap
with the red breast." To do him justice, however,
he was a zealous, though unenlightend member
of his calling, looking upon the preservation of
pheasants and partridges as " the whole duty of
man," and the massacre of every other species
of native bird, larger than a thrush, as the highest
effort of human genius.

PETWORTH RAVENS. 147

LETTER XIV.

" Fortunate senex, hie inter llumma nota,
Et fontes sacros, frigus captabis opacum."

VIBGIL.

Petworth Ravens — Expulsion — Gamekeeper's Strategy —
Return — Hollow Beech Trees — Colony of Jackdaws
— The Skirmish — Mob Routed — Unexpected Abdi
cation — Stronghold Demolished — Periodical Depar-
ture— Early Lessons — The Raven's Clump — Retreat
Discovered — Rape of the Squabs — Disappearance of
the old Birds — Plunderer Detected — The Lost Heir
Restored — Result.

THERE are few circumstances which have
afforded me greater pleasure, or which, on re-
flection, I regard with more complacency and
satisfaction, than my success in advocating the
cause of the raven in this neighbourhood, and
even in converting those who were once his
enemies and persecutors into his friends and
admirers.

For many years the raven had here been but
little known. This might in some measure have

H2

148 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

been attributable to the gradual disappearance
from our great woods of most of the tall old trees
on which he loved to build, and perhaps to the
absence of that superstitious veneration with
which this bird is still regarded in some districts
of England ; but more especially to the hostility
of the gamekeeper, in whose black book he once
occupied a prominent place.

During ten months out of the twelve a pair of
ravens may now be found in Petworth Park : per-
chance, if the sky be clear, you may perceive them
soaring aloft, at such a height as would almost
ensure their escape from observation, were it not
for their joyous and exulting barks, which, in
spite of the distance, fall distinctly on the ear ; or
if the weather be wet and gloomy, they may be
discovered perched on the summit of one of the
huge hollow oaks in the flat of the park, the
crooked and withered branch on which they sit
projecting like the horn of some gigantic stag from
the dense foliage ; or perhaps you may find them
concealed in their snug retreat among the ever-
green boughs of a clump of Scotch firs near the
tower hill,* their favourite haunt during the last
five years, and where they now appear to be per-
manently established.

* From the summit of the tower there is one of the
finest panoramic views in the county.

EXPULSION. 149

But to return. Their expulsion from this
neighbourhood, many years ago, was as follows.

A pair of these birds had built their nest on a
lofty tree in the park, and as a matter of course
were discovered by one of the keepers. Suffering
them to remain unmolested during the period of
nidification, he waited until, deceived by his
Machiavellian policy, the ravens treated his ap-
pearance, even when armed, with comparative
disregard. Ill did he repay their misplaced con-
fidence ! One day, when the period had nearly
arrived at which an addition to the family was to
be expected, and the eggs were in his opinion
"sot hard," a rifle-bullet directed through the
bottom of the nest stretched the female bird life-
less within it ; and shortly afterwards, her partner,
who had been catering for her at a distance, was
saluted on his return with a volley of shot, which
laid him quivering at the foot of the tree, and
completed the success of the functionary, who in
those days used to perform among the feathered
tribes the triple duties of judge, jury, and execu-
tioner.*

Years passed away, and the raven continued

* To the honour of the fraternity let me, however, re-
cord the following facts. Some years ago, a pair of ravens
used to breed annually in Burton Park, disappearing from

150 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

unknown in this part of West Sussex, until one
day in March, 1843, when riding in the park near
a clump of tall old beech trees, whose trunks had
been denuded by time of all their lower branches,
my attention was suddenly arrested by the never-
to-be-mistaken croak of a raven, and the loud
chattering of a flock of jackdaws.

I soon perceived that these were the especial
objects of his hatred and hostility ; for after dash-

the neighbourhood when the young were fledged, but
always returning in the ensuing spring.

The head keeper, better acquainted, it would appear,
with the habits of birds than persons of his calling are apt
to be, afforded them every protection. He had discovered
that they were his best Mends. Not a hawk, weasel, or
indeed any winged or four-footed animal vulgarly desig-
nated "vermin," was suffered by the ravens to approach
the wood in which stood the tree containing the nest.

Although pheasants and hares abounded in the imme-
diate vicinity, neither these nor their young were ever
molested by the ravens. Their foraging expeditions were
carried on at a distance, and their food consisted almost
entirely of the decomposed flesh of dead animals, or in
default of this of rats, and young rabbits procured at the
warrens among the Downs.

This state of things was not to continue. In an evil
hour the nest was robbed. All the young ones were
taken. The old ravens disappeared, and have never since
returned to their former abode.

COLONY OF JACKDAWS. 151

ing into the midst of them, and executing several
rapid movements in the air, he succeeded in
effectually driving them to a considerable dis-
tance from his nest. During this manoeuvre the
superior size of the raven became more apparent
than when viewed alone, and his power of flight
was advantageously exhibited by comparison with
that of his smaller congener. The latter, indeed,
seemed to bear about the same relation to him in
point of size that starlings do to rooks when seen
together.

The raven's riest was placed in a fork on the
very summit of one of the highest of these trees,
while their hollow trunks were tenanted by a
numerous colony of jackdaws. Some of the holes
through which these entered were so near the
ground that I had no difficulty in reaching them
when on horseback, while others were situated at
a much greater height. These conducted to the
chambers in which the nests were placed, and
which were generally far removed from the exter-
nal aperture by which the birds entered their
tower-like habitation.

On thrusting my whip upwards into many of
these passages, I found it impossible to touch the
further extremity, while a few cavities of smaller
dimensions were within reach of my hand, and
contained nests constructed of short, dry sticks,

152 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

some of which were incomplete, while in others
one or two eggs had been deposited.

The next day I returned to the place on foot,
provided with a spy-glass, for the purpose of ob-
servation. On my arrival I found that the ravens
were absent, and that the jackdaws, availing them-
selves of this, had congregated in considerable
numbers, and were as busily employed about
their habitations as a swarm of bees ; some car-
rying materials for the completion of their frail
and yet unfinished nests, others conveying food
to their mates, and all apparently making the
most of their time during the absence of their
tormentor.

There being no cover or brushwood at hand,
and the branches being yet leafless, I was unable
to conceal myself effectually, but having sat down
at the foot of the tree containing their nest, I
awaited the return of the ravens.

Nearly an hour elapsed before the arrival of the
male bird, and I was first made aware of his ap-
proach by the consternation which it appeared to
spread among the jackdaws. Like most animals
under similar circumstances, when apprehensive of
danger, they rapidly collected their forces on a
single tree, keeping up all the time an incessant
chattering, each bird shifting his position rapidly
from bough to bough, while the raven, who held

SKIRMISH. 153

some food in his beak, satisfied himself on this oc-
casion with two or three swoops into the terrified
crowd, and having routed the mob he approached
the tree in which his nest was placed.

Before arriving there, however, he evidently
became aware of my presence, and dropping his
prey, which proved to be a rat, he ascended into
the air to a great height, in circular gyrations,
after the manner of a falcon, where he was soon
joined by his consort, and the two birds continued
to soar above my head while I remained there,
uttering not only their usual hoarse croak, but
also an extraordinary sound resembling the ex-
clamation "Oh !" loudly and clearly ejaculated.
At first I could scarcely persuade myself that it
proceeded from the throat of either of the ravens,
but my doubts were soon dispelled, for there was
no human being within sight, and after carefully
examining one of the birds for some time with my
glass, I observed that each note was preceded by
an opening of the beak, the distance, of course,
preventing sight and sound from being exactly
simultaneous.

In the following year the beech grove was de-
serted for the fir clump. I shall never forget my
delight on discovering their new retreat near the
tower hill during the spring of 1844. It could be

H 5

154 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

equalled only by the disappointment I had previ-
ously experienced after paying several fruitless
visits to their old quarters in the valley. With
what different feelings was their abdication re-
garded by the jackdaws as soon as "the great
fact " was satisfactorily ascertained ! Although
broken sticks in abundance lay around, with
ample means for constructing the shallow plat-
form on which they deposited their eggs in the
interior of the hollow trees, yet nothing would
suit them but the materials of the raven's nest, a
general attack upon which seemed to be the order
of the day. The work of spoliation had com-
menced before my arrival, and was completed
within a week. Loud and merry were the notes of
the noisy republicans as they demolished piece-
meal the stronghold of their tyrants, and even
seemed to vie with each other in their anxiety to
construct their own obscure tenements from its
ruins. It was like the attack of a mob on a royal
residence, and the erection of a village of cabins
from the debris of a palace.

After rearing their young, the ravens and their
family generally disappear for a short time dur-
ing the summer. They then seek an open coun-
try without trees or human habitations, where,
comparatively secure from sudden surprise, they

•I

m

THE RAVEN'S CLUMP. 155

inculcate in their offspring early habits of inde-
pendence, and appear to superintend their educa-
tion in the art of flying.

When fully able to shift for themselves the
young family are left to their own resources, and
the original proprietors of the eyrie return to the fir
clump, and haunt the park throughout the greater
portion of the year. During very severe weather,
accompanied by frost and snow, the raven is sadly
puzzled to procure an honest subsistence in this
neighbourhood : he is by nature a scavenger, not
a poacher ; his structure entirely adapts him for
fulfilling the duties and satisfying the wants of
the former calling. Unprovided with hooked
beak or prehensile claws, he seeks not to attack
any living creature as long as a dead animal
remains on the surface of the earth. Then,
indeed, his hard, conical bill, his keen sense~of
smell, piercing sight, and goule-like appetite,
stand him in good stead; but if, during long-
continued frost, he should happen still to lin-
ger for awhile in this neighbourhood, he looks the
very picture of despair, as in pensive attitude
and with muffled plumage, his dusky figure may
be noticed perched on some withered bough.
Then, indeed,

" Othello's occupation's gone,"
and in his hour of need he may occasionally

156 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

be convicted of crimes which are foreign to his
nature ; but this rarely happens. On such emer-
gencies the ravens almost invariably migrate to the
sea-coast, where they subsist on dead fish and
Mollusca, to which several species of Corvida
appear to be equally partial, and which induce
the carrion and the hooded crows to desert their
inland haunts for the shores at low water, the
mouths of the tide-rivers, and the muddy creeks
of Chichester harbour.

In their new quarters the ravens now reign
unmolested, the nest itself being concealed from
ordinary observation among the evergreen boughs
near the summit of one of the tallest trees, so as
to escape the notice of the wayfarers who traverse
Upperton Common, or pass along the high road
which here skirts the ivy-covered park wall.
Nay, even within the precincts, where these birds
and their establishment are now held sacred,
those who occasionally visit the spot for the
express purpose of " having a look at the ravens,"
are generally disappointed as they mount the
steep hill and approach the clump, at seeing no-
thing of either of the birds, and at the apparent
desertion of the place : but they are quickly
undeceived. The short and angry barks of the
male are first heard as he emerges from the dark
boughs ; then — if the young have been hatched

RETREAT DISCOVERED. 157

— he is soon joined by the female, and both con-
tinue to soar round the heads of the strangers,
gradually increasing their distance until they
reach a considerable height, and occasionally
varying their usual hoarse cry with the singular
note to which I have already alluded. Their re-
treat is therefore, as I have said, secure from
ordinary observation ; but what nest can escape
the scrutiny of an Argus-eyed school-boy, espe-
cially if his cranium should present a development
of the true ornithological bump ? Soon after the
ravens had taken up their quarters here, a truant
youth, wandering over the Common, with his
empty satchel on his shoulder, caught a glimpse
of one of the old birds, marked it down into the
clump, and having satisfied himself by an exceed-
ingly rapid process of reasoning that its abode
was there, and that the discovery and appropria-
tion of the contents would repay him for the perils
of the adventure, he scaled the wall, climbed the
tree, robbed the nest, deposited four " squabs " —
all that it contained — in his book-bag, and
escaped undiscovered with his prize.

Imagine my feelings, when, on visiting the fir
grove a few days after this occurrence, I could find
no trace of either of the old ravens ! At first cu-
riosity was succeeded by suspicion, then suspicion
by anxiety, and at last anxiety by conviction

158 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

that something untoward had occurred ; but on
entering the clump the whole truth flashed upon
me at once : splinters of short, brittle boughs,
on which the climber had attempted to rest his
feet as he ascended the tree, lay around, mingled
with portions of the lining, which was composed
of the hair of the fallow deer. Could the robber
have taken all the young birds ? So to put an
end to suspense, I mounted to the nest, clutched
one of the branches immediately beneath it,
raised myself up, and eagerly peeped into the
interior. Empty ! Not a bird, not a feather
within it ! Nothing but deer-fur and fledge-dust !
What was to be done ? If even one squab had
been left, there would still have been room for
hope that the attempt to protect the raven in his
native haunts might possibly not have turned
out, as now, an apparent failure. Another week
elapsed, during which all inquiries — and they
were many and searching — after the lost ones
were unattended with success. I now visited the
clump every day, but my ears were no longer
gladdened by the welcome bark of the parent
birds. Ring-doves and starlings roosted in the
branches of the trees, and even the spiteful jack-
daw, who had hitherto kept at such a respectful
distance, now chattered among the boughs, as if
he could not resist the temptation of having a look

THE LOST HEIR RESTORED. 159

at the nest, with a view to appropriating a portion
of it to his own use on a future occasion.

Well, at last the young birds were discovered,
half starved, in the possession of their original
captor, who willingly delivered them up. It was
proposed to rear them in a state of domestication,
and the operation of clipping their wings had
already been performed on three of them, before
the idea occurred to me that, even yet, at the
eleventh hour, it was just possible that the resto-
ration of the remaining perfect bird to the nest
might have the effect of attracting the attention of
either of the old ones if they should happen to re-
visit the neighbourhood. Although but a forlorn
hope, the attempt was worth the trial. It was
late in the evening, I remember, when I put it in
execution, and the next morning found me again
on my way to the fir clump. Impatient to learn
the result of my experiment, yet entertaining only
a shadowy belief in the possibility of its success,
I hastened to the park. Scarcely venturing to
raise my eyes as I ascended the slope, I listened
attentively, but no sound indicated the return of
my absent friends. However, the scene soon
changed, and amply was I repaid for all my pre-
vious care and anxiety, on perceiving, as I topped
the hill, both the old ravens issuing from the trees,
and flying round my head just as if nothing had

160 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

happened. I could hardly believe my eyes. It
was true, nevertheless : my experiment perfectly
succeeded: the young bird was safely reared:
the ravens have since brought up several families
in the same nest : and as this little episode in their
biography has served to increase the interest
taken in their welfare by those who have now
fortunately the disposition as well as the power
to protect them, I trust that they may long live in
peace and security, arid that if any lover of the
picturesque or admirer of our native birds should
hereafter visit the tower hill during " trysting
time," he may never find "the raven's clump"
untenanted.*

* Those who may feel an interest in the subsequent
fate of the Petworth ravens will find the latest chapter of
their history in the ' Quarterly Review/ No. CLXX. Sept.
1849, Art. v.

SHOOTING IN SUSSEX. 161

LETTER XV.

" It is the rarity and difficulty of attainment of a bird
that renders the acquisition of it desirable to the true sports-
man."— OAKLEIGH SHOOTING CODE.

Shooting in Sussex compared with that in other Countries
—The Black Grouse— Its Decline— The Pheasant —
Ring-necked Pheasant — Probable Origin — Pied Va-
riety— Whether to be encouraged or not — The Phea-
sant the Farmer's Friend — The Common Partridge
— Red-legged Partridge — The Quail — Partridge-
shooting on the Hills — View from the Downs —
Pheasant-shooting in the Weald — Woodcock-shooting
on the Downs — A Day's Wild Sport.

NORFOLK may boast of her battues ; her woods
teeming with hares and pheasants ; her flat mono-
tonous turnip-fields, where a shooting party can
march backwards and forwards all day, and slaugh-
ter their hundreds of partridges without ever quit-
ing the same enclosure. Scotland and Wales have
their steep mountains and craggy glens, their
grouse and woodcocks ; and Ireland her trackless
bogs, wide-spreading loughs, and unrivalled snipe

162 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

and wild-fowl shooting ; but although a day's work
in even the best preserves of Sussex would not
produce such a list of killed and wounded as
in some of the countries to which I have referred,
or require such self-denial, hard fagging and ex-
posure to cold and rain, as in others, yet from
the varied nature of the sport and scenery it
frequently affords a combination of then* greatest
charms, in as high a degree too as ought to sa-
tisfy the aspirations of any keen and reasonable
sportsman.

The battue, however, is almost unknown, for
although the estates of some of the large landed
proprietors — especially in West Sussex — are well
stocked with game, yet generally speaking, the
broken and irregular character of the country,
which imparts to it so many charms, forbids at the
same time the concentration of such a mass of vic-
tims in one spot as is necessary to gratify that
morbid love of slaughter which is supposed to
be the chief characteristic of the modern dandy
gunner.

I will now proceed to give you some account of
our feathered game and sport. In certain parts of
the forest range the black cock (Tetrao tetrix) is
still to be met with. I have seen a few in the
neighbourhood of Crawley, but I am sorry to say
that the numbers of this, the only indigenous

THE PHEASANT. 163

grouse of which we can boast, are fast decreasing,
notwithstanding the laudable efforts of some spi-
rited preservers on whose manors these birds are
strictly "tabooed," and where a gray hen is almost
as sacred as a fox in Leicestershire ; but for black
game, swampy ground is as necessary as the glen
and the heather, and moor after moor is enclosed,
marsh after marsh is reclaimed; the species is
rapidly diminishing in number, while the area of
its distribution becomes gradually more circum-
scribed, and a few years will probably witness its
total disappearance from among us.

The pheasant is, however, more fortunate, and
may be said to be naturalized throughout the
whole range of the weald. There, great oak
woods, and thick copses of hazel and blackthorn
supply it at once with a favourite food* and a safe
asylum, and while the impracticable nature «£
that region tends to baffle the efforts of those

* The partiality of pheasants to acorns is well known.
Gamekeepers in the weald declare, and with perfect truth,
that it is impossible to prevent these birds from wandering
during what they call " a great year for acres," barley and
even beans then losing all their former attractions. At
Bedham, on the estate of a friend of mine in this neigh-
bourhood, there now stands a goodly row of oak trees
which were raised from a handful of acorns taken from the
crop of a single pheasant.

164 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

light-fingered gentry who are adepts in wiring and
snaring, the more adventurous night poacher must
console himself with but few shots, at great inter-
vals of time and space, and moreover possess an
accurate knowledge of the country to enable him
to escape detection, and to secure such a booty as
will repay him for the hours mis-spent, and the
risks encountered in this precarious and unseason-
able occupation.

The ring-necked variety, which is common
enough in some parts of the county, is less fre-
quently met with in the weald. Its origin may
probably be attributed to the introduction of the
Chinese species (Phasianus torquatus), which,
breeding freely with the common pheasant (Pha-
sianus Colchicus), became gradually intermixed
with it, but possessing less vigour and robustness
of constitution, its characteristic plumage was gra-
dually absorbed by its congener, and it has be-
queathed nothing but the imperfect ring of white
feathers to its descendants.

Pied pheasants are not uncommon, particularly
in the neighbourhood of preserves, where the sys-
tem of rearing poults from eggs hatched under
barn-door hens has been pursued during many
successive seasons. I confess that I am no ad-
mirer of these parti-coloured birds, for I regard
this aberration from the true plumage as the

THE FARMER'S FRIEND. 165

unfailing sign of incipient domestication. They
are, however, said to be in great request with the
poachers, and some doubt exists among game-
keepers as to the expediency of preserving or de-
stroying them. Those who advocate the former
alternative, regard the simple fact of their surviv-
ing the season as a proof that their beat has
escaped the attentions of the nightly marauder ;
while the supporters of the latter assert that the
mere knowledge of their whereabouts must always
prove a dangerous attraction. For my own part,
if I thought that a compromise could be safely
entered into with those slippery sportsmen, to
whom knocking birds off their roost can afford

delight

On a shiny night,

In the season of the year,"

I should like to see them have a day all to them-
selves for the express purpose of exterminating
these poultry-looking pheasants.

What a mistake it is to suppose that the phea-
sant is an enemy to the farmer ! True, he may
deal rather unceremoniously with newly sown
wheat-fields, and occasionally retard or frustrate
the labour of the bean-dibbler. He may, without
due regard to conventional usages, even venture to
anticipate the work of the sickle, and commence

166 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

his gleaning operations a week or two before the
legitimate time ; but this can happen to an inju-
rious extent only in very highly preserved districts,
where those checks have been removed from the
species which indeed Nature has placed upon the
excessive increase of all animals. But unfor-
tunately the agriculturist, smarting under a sense
of these partial injuries, is too apt to overlook the
real benefits conferred on him by the pheasant.
During the greater part of the year he is his active
friend, devouring immense quantities of insects,
which in their larva state are so detrimental to
both green and cereal crops. These principles are
inculcated in their earliest education, and you
cannot accuse the matron of setting them a bad
example. At this season they are all decidedly
insectivorous. Look at that group of pheasants —
Why do they so assiduously turn over the dead
leaves under those tall trees ? The acorns and
beechmast have long since disappeared, and the
keeper has ceased to scatter the beans or barley
with which he was wont to supply them regu-
larly during the winter. Why does the mother
bird lead her little family to the small ant-hills, or
beneath the spreading boughs of the oak which
swarm with the leaf-destroying caterpillars ? — and
why do troops of cock pheasants issue from the
woods after a wet night and haunt the neighbour-

THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 167

ing meadows, slowly advancing step by step, ex-
amining every tuft of grass, and patiently " darn-
ing" the field for hours together? Be assured
for nothing but worms, slugs and insects. And
then what myriads of that scourge, the wireworm,*
do they not consume !

For nine months of the year they are thus use-
fully employed, and if you were to kill and dissect
a pheasant during that period, the contents of his
crop would satisfy you that his condemnation is
unjust, and that, on the whole, he is rather the
friend than the foe of the agriculturist, f

The common partridge (Perdix cinerea) is found

* This destructive insect is the larva of one of the click-
beetles (Elater segetis).

f How much it is to be regretted that the study of En-
tomology has not been rendered more subservient to prac-
tical purposes by those who have devoted their time and
talents to this fascinating pursuit ! But there is no rule
without an exception. Witness the recent publication of
the 'Letters of Rusticus of Godalming,' under the able
editorship of Mr. Newman. With much valuable matter
relative to other branches of Natural History, this work
contains by far the best account extant of those insects
which are injurious to vegetation, and known by the name
of "blight; " while the descriptions are not less remarkable
for their accuracy than for their popular style and graphic
power. Every farmer as well as naturalist ought to possess
this interesting volume.

168 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

in almost all parts of the county, but appears
to be more abundant on those portions of the
lower green-sandstone formation, in the western
division, where the cultivation of the turnip ob-
tains — as in the neighbourhood of Rogate, Mid-
hurst, and Petworth — than elsewhere. They are
numerous during certain seasons in even the most
thickly-wooded parts of the weald, and seem
equally partial to the arable land among the val-
leys of the Downs.

Two coveys of the red-legged partridge (Perdix
rufa) were hatched and reared under domestic
hens in July, 1841, and turned down on a manor
in the parish of Kirdford, in the weald of Sussex.
They were observed in the same neighbourhood
for nearly a fortnight, after which they suddenly
disappeared. During the following September a
small covey was sprung near Bolney, about twenty
miles farther west, and a brace shot. These were
probably the remnant of the Kirdford birds in-
stinctively performing the autumnal migration.*

I rejoice to say that this species is not indi-
genous to Sussex. Many a Norfolk and Suffolk
sportsman has to suffer for the sins of his fathers,

* The Rev. J. Lubbock in his ' Fauna of Norfolk ' con-
siders the red-legged partridge a migratory bird even in
some parts of that county.

THE QUAIL. 169

who unwittingly introduced this foreign plague into
their ancestral domains. Some portions of those
counties are fortunately exempt from them, while
in others they have increased to such a degree as
to expel the old English or cinereous partridge,
and being excessively wild and difficult to flush,
they run before the dogs for miles, and severely
test the patience and temper of the sportsman.

The quail (Coturnix vulgaris) is only an autum-
nal migratory visitor to Sussex. I never met with
a bevy in any part of the county, although I have
occasionally killed a few stragglers when partridge-
shooting in September. In some districts of
England they would appear to be comparatively
numerous, and in Ireland I have found them abun-
dant in the King's County during the winter.
They appeared partial to backward oat-stubbles
on poor swampy soils just verging on the borders
of the great red bogs. After the first flight they
generally lay well : the grand point was to drive
them towards the bog, and if possible to scatter
them over its surface. What capital sport they
then afforded in combination with snipe, plo-
ver, teal, and wild ducks, the natural denizens of
the swamp, which usually contributed to my bag
on such occasions !

On certain portions of the Downs of Sussex the
pursuit of the partridge partakes almost of the

i

170 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

nature of grouse shooting. Nothing can be done
without active and well broken dogs, experienced
markers, and downright hard fagging.

Perhaps you commence operations by beating a
large barley or oat-stubble — a sure find during the
early morning — having previously placed a couple
of markers on the hills on either side, so as to
command a view over the main valley and the
lesser combes. The partridges seldom lie well
in the stubbles, but springing before the dogs can
obtain a point, fly over the nearest brow, and drop
either in a promising clover field, or perhaps in a
" shaw"* higher up the hill. Two guns enjoy this
sport to perfection. Separating at one end of the
plantation, taking up the pointers, and putting
a couple of steady old spaniels into the cover, the
birds are frequently flushed one by one, and, as
they spring screaming from the brushwood, fly
rapidly forward, or dash hurriedly over the heads
of either of the shooters.

* Shaw, (Scua, Saxon); a narrow strip of wood or copse,
suffered to remain as a fence, or division between two fields.
On the richer soils, where the modern system of farming
prevails, these primitive but beautiful fences are, I am
sorry to say, being grubbed up every day, while in the
greater portion of the weald they still exist, affording
at once a harbour for game and the best shelter for cattle
during stormy weather.

PARTRIDGE-SHOOTING ON THE HILLS. 171

Then, when -some wild and almost unapproach-
able covey, after having been patiently pursued
from field to field, from brow to brow, yet never
completely lost sight of, shall at last have been
fairly worn out by the zeal and perseverance of
the sportsman and his valuable coadjutors, the
dogs and the markers, what a glorious half-hour
commences ! On such occasions the affrighted
birds make for the summits of the Downs, and
either drop among the beautiful groups of juniper
bushes which stud the smooth surface of their
steepest sides, or else " cany on " to the heathery
and broken ground beyond, where you are well
repaid for an up-hill pursuit of a mile or two
by quartering the ground quietly with your setters,
and, if you please, bagging the whole covey one
after the other. You need have no qualms of
conscience, no misgivings about hurting the breed
for next year. There lies one of the greatest
charms of partridge - shooting in this district.
Many coveys are bred on the summits of the
hills which never descend to the valleys, and
which, on a preserved manor, such as I speak of,
are of themselves sufficient to ensure an adequate
supply for the shooter be he ever so keen and
persevering. But without real work nothing is
to be done. Many a knight of the trigger have I
seen disgusted at what he called the scarcity of

12

172 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

game on these Downs, the excessive wildness of
the coveys, and their interminable flights ; and
often have I seen others who fancied themselves
rather "knowing" in such matters, but whose
experience had been limited to the thick wheat-
stubble and the prolific turnip-field, regularly
"choked off" after the second or third hill had
been surmounted, just perhaps as a marker,
perched on the summit of a distant beech tree,
was hi the act of telegraphing the delightful fact
that a covey had dropped among the junipers half
a mile higher up.

And if you are a lover of the picturesque, what
a magnificent scene is spread before you, as you
pause for a moment from your successful toil,
after having fairly run your game to ground on
the heathery summit of one of these lofty Downs !
The very air that you breathe, fresh from the alti-
tude of the spot, and mingled, as it is, with the
sea-breeze, is far more exhilarating than any arti-
ficial compound which your flask can furnish.
Down after Down swells around you, their smooth
sides dotted with the evergreen holly and juniper,
or varied with larger patches of golden gorse,
while the steep slopes which bound the interme-
diate valleys are clothed with hanging beech-
woods, whose irregular forms relieve the undulating
outline t>f the Downs, and the rich and varied

VIEW FROM THE DOWNS. 173

tints of the autumnal foliage are blended into that
beautiful harmony of colours which Nature alone
can combine.

Looking towards the south, the sea, although at
the distance of several miles, is spread before you
like a mirror, studded with coasting vessels and
fishing smacks, and perhaps now and then an
Indiaman, or ship of war, beating up Channel for
the Thames. On the extreme right is a cloud-
like, but well-defined object standing out from
the distant horizon. This is the Isle of Wight.
In the middle distance the tall spire of Chichester
cathedral shoots up from the plain, and the long,
winding creeks and estuaries in its neighbourhood
are all distinctly visible, as the rays of the sun are
brightly reflected from their waters ; while stretched
below, between you and the sea, the flat cultivated
tract, which extends from the south-western bor-
ders of the county as far as Brighton, spreads to
the right and left, and as your eye wanders along
the dark line of the coast, you may, if the weather
be clear, take in, almost at one view, more than
fifty miles of its extent, including the Isle of
Wight on the west and the dimly-seen cliffs of
Newhaven on the east.

Nothing is so fatal to the breed of partridges
on the hills as a cold, wet spring and summer.
These birds pair early, and the nest is frequently

174 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

placed in a bleak and exposed situation. Here,
if the weather be unpropitious, numbers of eggs
are sure to be addled or unproductive ; while even
those young birds that are successfully hatched
are weakly, and many of them perish by constant
exposure to damps and chills. Scarcity of water
seems to have no injurious effect on the partridge,
and much less than is generally supposed even on
the pheasant, for there are no streams and but few
sheep-ponds on this portion of the Downs. I
have invariably found that whenever the months
of April, May, June and July have been unusually
dry, amounting even to drought, feathered game
has been proportionably prolific and the num-
bers abundant during the ensuing shooting season.
The morning and evening dews seem to afford
sufficient moisture, and whatever inconveniences
this excessive aridity may occasion them, they
would appear to be comparatively trifling when
we notice the fatal results of a cold, wet summer.
This remark applies equally to other districts and
soils. Experienced sportsmen, and octogenarian
keepers who have wielded the protectoral baton
on the same manor half their lives, and actually
grown gray in pheasant-lore, all agree that the
drier the summer the better for the game.

I have said nothing of the battue and the
crowded preserve. They are but little patronized

PHEASANT-SHOOTING IN THE WEALD. 175

in Sussex. There are of course a few exceptions,
but these serve only to prove the rule, and in
point of massacre fall far short of an ordinary
Norfolk performance.*

How different is the pursuit of the pheasant
with the aid of spaniels in the thick covers of the
weald, or tracking him with a single steady setter
among some of the wilder portions of the forest
range ! — intently observing your dog, and antici-
pating the wily artifices of some old cock, with
spurs as long as a dragoon's, who will sometimes
lead you for a mile through bog, brake, fern
and heather, before the sudden drop of your
staunch companion, and a rigidity in all his limbs,
satisfy you that you have at last compelled the
bird to squat under that wide holly-bush, from
whence you kick him up, and feel some little
exultation as you bring him down with a snap-

* A friend of mine has furnished me with the following
report of four consecutive days' work during November,
1848, on a well-known manor in Norfolk. His brother
who was one of the party, furnished the bulletin.

Head.

1st day, 7 guns 564

2nd day, 5 guns (in an outlying cover) 187

3rd day, 8 guns 738

4th day, 6 guns 626

Total ... 2115

176 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

shot, having only caught a glimpse of him through
the evergreen boughs, as he endeavoured to escape
by a rapid flight at the opposite side of the tree.

And then the woodcock-shooting in November
— I must take you back once more to my fa-
vourite Downs. With the first full moon during
that month, especially if the wind be easterly
or the weather calm, arrive flights of woodcocks,
which drop in the covers, and are dispersed among
the bushy valleys, and even over the heathery sum-
mits of the hills. If it should happen to be a
propitious year for beech -mast — the great attrac-
tion to pheasants on the Downs, as is the acorn
in the weald — you may procure partridges, phea-
sants, hares, and rabbits in perhaps equal pro-
portionsi with half a dozen woodcocks to crown
the bag.

The extensive, undulating commons and heaths
dotted with broken patches of Scotch firs and hol-
lies on the ferruginous sand north of the Downs,
afford — where the manorial rights are enforced —
still greater variety of sport. On this wild ground,
accompanied by my spaniels and an old retriever,
and attended only by one man, to carry the game,
I have enjoyed as good sport as mortal need desire
on this side of the Tweed. Here is a rough sketch
of a morning's work.

Commencing operations by walking across a

A DAY'S WILD SPORT. 177

turnip-field, two or three coveys spring wildly
from the farther end, and fly, as I expect, to the
adjoining common, where they are marked down
on a brow thickly clothed with furze. Marching
towards them with spaniels at heel, up jumps a hare
under my nose, then another, then a rabbit. I re-
load rapidly, and on reaching the gorse " put in "
the dogs. Whirr ! there goes a partridge ! The
spaniels drop to the report of my gun, but the
fluttering wings of the dying bird rouse two of his
neighbours before I am ready, and away they fly,
screaming loudly. The remainder are flushed in
detail, and I succeed in securing the greater part
of them. Now for the next covey. They were
marked down in that little hollow where the
heather is longer than usual — a beautiful spot!
But before I reach it, up they all spring in an un-
expected quarter; that cunning old patriarch at
their head had cleverly called them together to
a naked part of the hill, from whence he could
observe my mano3uvres, and a random shot sent
after him with hearty good will proved totally in-
effective.

Now the spaniels are worming through the thick
sedges on either side of the brook which intersects
the moor, and by their bustling anxiety it is easy
to see that game is afoot. Keeping well in front
of them, I am just in time for a satisfactory right

i5

178 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES.

and left at two cock pheasants, which they had
hunted down to the very edge of the water before
they could persuade them to take wing. Now for
that little alder coppice at the further end of the
marshy swamp. Hark to that whipping sound, so
different from the rush of the rising pheasant or
the drumming flight of the partridge ! 1 cannot
see the bird, but I know it is a woodcock. This
must be one of his favourite haunts, for I perceive
the tracks of his feet and the perforations of his
bill in every direction on the black mud around.
Mark ! again. A. second is sprung, and as he
flits between the naked alders a snap-shot stops
his career. I now emerge at the farther end, just
where the trees are thinner than elsewhere. A
wisp of snipes utter their well known cry and scud
over the heath ; one of these is secured. The rest
fly towards a little pool of dark water lying at
a considerable distance on the common, a well-
known rendezvous for those birds. Cautiously
approaching, down wind, I reach the margin. Up
springs a snipe ; but just as my finger is on the
trigger, and when too late to alter my intention, a
duck and mallard rise from among the rushes and
wheel round my head. One barrel is fortunately
left, and the drake comes tumbling to the ground.
Three or four pheasants, another couple of wood-
cocks, a few more snipes, a teal or two and half a

A DAY'S WILD SPORT. 179

dozen rabbits picked up at various intervals, com-
plete the day's sport, and I return home, better
pleased with myself and my dogs than if we had
compassed the destruction of all the hares in the
county, or assisted at the immolation of a perfect
hecatomb of pheasants.

SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE

OF THE

BIRDS OF SUSSEX

A SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE, &c.

ORDER RAPTOKES.— Family FALCONID^E.

GOLDEN EAGLE, Aquila chrysaetos. Page 38.

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, Haliceetus albicilla.
Has occurred occasionally in the immature state.
Pagk 36.

OSPREY, Pandion haliaetus. Specimens of this
bird have been obtained in different parts of the
county. Page 44.

PEREGRINE FALCON, Falco peregrinus. Breeds
in a lofty precipice at Beachy Head ; also at
Newhaven cliff: is seldom seen in the weald.
Has been observed more frequently in other parts
of the interior, principally during the autumn and
winter. Page 106.

HOBBY, Falco subbuteo. A summer visitor.
Partial to wooded districts, where it generally

184 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

occupies the deserted nest of a carrion crow.
Seldom found in the more open parts of the
county. Page 112.

MERLIN, Falco JEtsalon. A winter visitor, but
very partially distributed. Unlike the hobby, it
prefers the exposed heaths and naked Downs to
the weald. Page 116.

KESTREL, Falco Tinnunculus. But moderately
dispersed during the breeding-season. Occasion-
ally found among large woods, where it deposits
its eggs in the old nest of a crow or magpie.
Many may be observed at the same time of year
along the line of chalk cliffs between Brighton and
Beachy Head. They are still more plentiful
farther eastward, between Hastings and Rye. As
autumn approaches they gradually become more
abundant in all parts of the county ; congregate
near the coast preparatory to their departure for a
more southern region. Comparatively scarce dur-
ing the winter. Re-appear about February in
diminished numbers. Page 51.

SPARROWHAWK, Accipiter nisus. Common in
wooded districts during the summer. The sexes
separate in the winter. Page 64.

KITE, Milvus vulgaris. No longer indigenous
to Sussex. Was formerly well known in the
weald. Has occurred once near Brighton, and
once at Siddlesham, within the last ten years.

FALCONIM. 185

COMMON BUZZARD, Buteo vulgaris. One of our
most uncommon birds. Page 140.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, Buteo lagopus. An
accidental winter visitor to the south of England,
but much less rare than the so-called common
species. During very hard weather a sprinkling
of these stragglers from the north is always found
on our shores, either near the inlets of the sea
south of Chichester, the marshy tracts of meadow
land at the mouths of the navigable rivers, on
Amberley flats, or on Lewes Levels. An example
of this bird in my possession was trapped at Bos-
ham, in January, 1839. It was disturbed in the
act of devouring a rabbit which it had just killed,
and a fragment of its prey being used as a bait, the
poacher was secured on the following morning.

During that severe winter I examined four re-
cent specimens of the rough-legged buzzard, all
of which were obtained in the south-western part
of the county, and I received intelligence that
others had been shot about this time near Shore-
ham and Pevensey, and even on some of the wild
commons in the interior, but I can record no in-
stance of its having been observed among the
great woods of the weald.

It has also occurred at Falmer, and at Ashburn-
ham Park; and Mr. W. Borrer, of Cowfold, informs
me that a specimen was killed at Henfield, on the

186 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

18th of October, 1841 — an unusually early period
for its arrival — in the act of seizing and carrying
off a partridge which had just been shot.

HONEY BUZZARD, Pernis apivorus. An autum-
nal visitor. Has been met with in different parts
of the county. Page 136.

MARSH HARRIER, Circus aruginosus. Of un-
usual occurrence in Sussex — even in localities well
suited to its habits — especially in the adult state.
Page 89.

HEN HARRIER, Circus cyaneus. Far more
common than the last. Rare in the weald. Has
been observed more frequently in the western than
in the eastern division. Page 90.

Me NTAGU'S HARRIER, Circus Montagui. Has
been occasionally killed, both in the adult and
immature state, in different parts of the county.
Page 89.

Family STRIGID^E.

EAGLE OWL, Bubo maximus. Said by Mr. Yar-
rell and Mr. Jenyns — on the authority of Montagu
— to have been shot in Sussex. I can record no
second instance of its occurrence in the wild state.
There has been for many years a magnificent
living collection of eagle owls at Arundel Castle.
Here, occupying the extensive area bounded by

STRIGID.E. 187

the rock-like walls of the old Donjon keep, they
exist in but partial captivity, arid have lately even
fulfilled the first law of Nature, "Increase and
multiply." Page 91.

SCOPS-EARED OWL, Scops Aldrovandi. Has
occurred once, near Shillinglee, the seat of Lord
Winterton. Page 94.

LONG-EARED OWL, Otus vulgaris. Moderately
distributed throughout the weald and in the neigh-
bourhood of fir woods, but its numbers have
decreased considerably of late years. Page 93.

SHORT-EARED OWL, Otus brachyotos. An au-
tumnal or early winter visitor from the north. Is
regarded as the harbinger of the woodcock. First
appears on open heaths and commons, -and in
narrow plantations of Scotch or spruce fir. Soon
afterwards met with in stubble and turnip-fields.
Page 94.

BARN OWL, Strix fiammea. Generally dis-
persed, but nowhere numerous. Page 95.

TAWNY OWL, Syrnium aluco. Now chiefly re-
stricted to the great oak woods and parks fur-
nished with hollow trees. May be frequently
heard and seen at Cowdray. Page 92.

LITTLE OWL, Noctua passerina. In July, 1842,
a bird of this species was exposed for sale at
a poulterer's in the Brighton maiket. It was said
to have been shot in an orchard at Sheifield Park,

188 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

near Fletching. Appeared to be immature, the
plumage being much lighter than that of an adult
specimen with which it was compared. Is now in
the collection of Mr. W. Borrer, of Cowfold, by
whom the above particulars were communicated
to me.

ORDER INSESSORES.— Tribe DENTIROSTRES.
Family LANIAD.E.

GREAT GRAY SHRIKE, Lanius excubitor. Has
been occasionally observed and killed in different
parts of the county. I have not been able to pro-
cure its nest or eggs, or to ascertain that it has
ever been known to breed in Sussex. It has been
obtained at Beeding Levels, Lindfield, Arundel,
and Alderton ; and two were shot near Battle
during the winters of 1846-7.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE, Lanius collurio. Pro-
vincial, Cheater or Cheeter. A very local bird.
Arrives early in May, and affects the whole line
of coast between the Downs and the sea. Very
numerous in the neighbourhood of Bognor and
Chichester. Not infrequent in the eastern divi-
sion, particularly in the maritime portion between
Bexhill and Rye. Is seldom observed to the
north of the Downs in the western division until

MUSCICAPIDjE. 189

midsummer, and I have rarely been able to detect
it on the clays, or among the great woods of the
weald.

Family MUSCICAPID^.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, Muscicapa grisola. Not
so common as in many other counties. Seldom
arrives until the latter end of May, but makes the
most of its time, generally bringing up two fami-
lies before it leaves us in the autumn. This
occurred during three successive years in an apri-
cot tree in my garden, to which a pair of these
birds returned regularly every summer, until their
retreat was at last discovered by a prowling cat ;
and the mother, her unfledged little ones, and the
nest itself, were destroyed tc at one fell swoop."

PIED FLYCATCHER, Muscicapa atricapilla. A
very rare visitor from the north. A specimen was
shot at Halnaker, in 1837, which is now in the
Chichester Museum, another near Henfield, in
May, 1845, which is in Mr. W. Borrer's collec-
tion ; and a third example in the same year at
Mousecombe, near Brighton, where it had been
observed in a garden for some days before it was
killed.

190 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Family MERULID^E.

MISSEL THRUSH, Turdus viscivorus. Common
in all parts of the county. Prefers small coppices
and plantations in the vicinity of a house to great
woods during the breeding- season. Such is the
pugnacious disposition of this thrush that two
nests are seldom found in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of each other.

FIELDFARE, Turdus pilaris. A regular autumnal
and winter visitor. In severe seasons is abundant
in all parts of the county, but in open weather
principally affects heaths and commons. I have
known them detained by a backward spring as
late as the 3rd of May, but I never could detect
their arrival before the 1st of November. The
supposed instances of their appearance before
that time seem to have originated in a mistake
on the part of some observers who confounded
this with the last-named species.

SONG THRUSH, Turdus musicus. Common
everywhere.

REDWING, Turdus iliacus. Arrives rather sooner
than the fieldfare. Is less difficult of approach in
severe weather, but leaves us about the same time.

BLACKBIRD, Turdus merula. Abundant ; espe-
cially among evergreens and fir plantations.

SYLVIAD^:. 191

RING OUSEL, Turdus torquatus. A passing
visitor in spring and autumn ; halting for a few
days among the juniper and holly bushes on our
elevated commons and highest Downs.

GOLDEN ORIOLE, Oriolus galbula. A summer
straggler of rare occurrence. Has been shot at
Bexhill, and twice killed in the month of May,
near Newhaven; and two examples are in the
possession of Mr. W. Borrer, which were shot at
ALfriston, about four miles from the last-named
port, so that there seems to be something pecu-
liarly attractive to this bird in that neighbourhood.

Family SYLVIAD.E.

HEDGE ACCENTOR or HEDGE SPARROW, Accen-
tor modularis. Common everywhere.

REDBREAST or ROBIN, Erythaca rubecula. As
elsewhere, a well-known and general favourite.

REDSTART or FIRETAIL, Ph&nicura ruticilla.
The very partial distribution of this bird is remark-
able. I never could discover it in any part of the
weald of West Sussex. It is even exceedingly
rare to the south of that region on the richer soil
of the lower green sandstone, in the neighbourhood
of Midhurst, Petworth, and Pulborough, to the
north of the Rother, which is here a tributary to
the Arun: but on the long belt of ferruginous

192 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

sand to the south of that stream it is of frequent
occurrence, particularly in the neighbourhood of
Storrington, Parham and Steyning, and again at
Henfield. It is common on the alluvial tract to
the south of the Downs between Chichester and
Brighton, is not unusual in the neighbourhood of
Bexhill, St. Leonard's and Hastings, but is only
sparingly scattered over the forest range in the
eastern division of the county.

BLACK REDSTART, Phcenicura tithys. This spe-
cies seems to be a winter visitor to Sussex. It
has occurred near Hastings and Chichester, but
more frequently at Brighton than elsewhere. Of
these the greater number have been killed on or
near a large permanent heap of rubbish at Hove,
which would appear to possess some mysterious
charm for these birds. On the 5th of December,
1839, a female was killed there, and another on
the 30th. On the 9th of March, 1840, a male was
obtained on the same spot, and another in 1842.
During the winter of 1 847 two were shot in that
neighbourhood by Mr. Swaysland, which I saw
soon afterwards.

On the 16th of October, 1839, a male was killed
in Oriental Place, and in January, 1848, a female
was caught alive in a greenhouse near the German
Spa ; a specimen was also captured in a garden
near the western road, in a nightingale-trap baited

SYLVIAD.E. 193

with a worm. All these examples were in full
plumage and good condition.

STONECHAT or Furzechat, Saxicola rubicola.
Very common on open heaths and gorse-covered
commons. Several remain with us during the
winter.

WHINCHAT, Saxicola rubetra. Provincial, Bar-
ley-ear. Arrives during the early part of April if
the season be favourable. Haunts and habits
similar to those of the last species.

WHEATEAR, Saxicola cenanthe. Numbers arrive
in March, but the greater portion of these proceed
farther north ; comparatively few remaining here
during the breeding-season. Immense flocks ap-
pear on the Downs during the early part of
August, at the period of the autumnal migration,
and quantities are taken by the shepherds in
snares of a very simple description, formed by
slight excavations in the turf, and horse-hair
nooses. The instinct of this bird prompts it, on
the slightest alarm, to run for concealment to the
nearest hole. The observant shepherd, availing
himself of this habit, constructed his infallible
trap ; for a full and accurate account of which,
and of the capture of these birds on the Sussex
Downs between Eastbourne and Beachy Head,
the reader is referred to Mr. Yarrell's c History of
British Birds/ vol. i. p. 256.

E

194 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, Salicaria locustella.
Is very partially distributed, being rare even in
some districts which would appear well suited to
its habits. I have explored many acres of furze
and extensive commons in the weald, without being
able to detect its presence by sound or sight. It
is very rare in the neighbourhood of Brighton and
Hastings, but has frequently been obtained near
Chichester. I know one heathy common about a
mile from Petworth, interspersed with patches of
thorn and gorse, where several pairs of these birds
may be heard every summer; but although my
patience has often been rewarded by occasional
glimpses of the little feathered chirpers as they
crept, mouse-like, among the stalks of the furze
and fern, I never succeeded in discovering their
nest or eggs.

SEDGE WARBLER, Salicaria phragmitis. Com-
mon where low drains with sedgy banks, or brooks
bordered with thick bushes occur, or wherever
moist and damp situations encourage a profusion
of aquatic herbage.

REED WARBLER, Salicaria arundinacea. Par-
tially distributed, and everywhere less numerous
than the last-named species. Was formerly of
frequent occurrence on Pevensey Levels, but since
the clearing out of many of the reed beds, has
almost disappeared from that neighbourhood.

SYLVIADJE. 195

The same cause has reduced its numbers at Am-,
berley, and in most of its favourite haunts. These
birds and their beautiful nests may, however, still
be found during the month of May in the reedy
ditches a little to the westward of the old wooden
bridge on the Adur, about a mile above Shoreham.
NIGHTINGALE, Philomela luscinia. Abundant
during the summer in woods, copses and hedges,
but perhaps more numerous on the clay soils of
the weald than anywhere else. In this — as an
insectivorous bird — it forms an exception to a
general rule ; every other species of the dentiros-
tral tribe, resident as well as migratory, being,
comparatively, but sparingly distributed in that
district.

BLACKCAP, Curruca atricapilla. Found in
thickets and groves during the summer, but not
plentiful anywhere. Rare in the weald.

GARDEN WARBLER, Curruca hortensis. In its
habits and haunts resembles the last species, but
is certainly of less frequent occurrence.

COMMON WHITETHROAT, Curruca cinerea.
Common.

LESSER WHITETHROAT, Curruca sylviella. In
the neighbourhood of Chichester, Bognor, Pagham
and Worthing, this bird is as numerous as the last
species, and appears even more so ; its garrulous
song and bustling flight at once attracting obser-

K2

196 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

ration. It is less frequent to the north of the
Downs, and seldom seen in the weald, where Cur-
ruca cinerea is by no means of rare occurrence.

WOOD WARBLER, Sylvia sylvicola. A very local
species. I never could obtain a specimen among
the oak woods on the clay soils. Appears to be
equally rare near Petworth, but particularly affects
the neighbourhood of Storrington, and the tall elm
trees in Parham Park, from whence I have pro-
cured several examples. It is scarce in the cen-
tral parts of the county, and indeed seems to prefer
dry gravelly soils, where the beech and elm are
more prevalent than the oak. The eggs and nest
have frequently been found in Stanmer Park, the
latter being remarkable for the total absence of
feathers, as a material in the lining of the interior,
which are always applied to that purpose by its
congeners the chiff-chaff and the willow wren.

CHIFF-CHAFF, Sylvia hippolais. Is partially dis-
persed, being of rare occurrence in certain districts
— as for instance in the neighbourhood of Shore-
ham and Beeding, while in others every bush and
copse rings with its merry note.

WILLOW WARBLER, Sylvia trochilus. Is more
numerous and generally distributed, although from
its retired habits and subdued warble, less likely
to attract notice. These three last-named birds,
which now form the restricted genus Sylvia,

SYLVIAS. 197

strongly resemble each other, especially the two
latter. The hue of the legs, however, forms the
best distinction. That of the chiff-chaffs being of
a dark brown, and the willow warbler's of a pale
flesh colour ; while the wood warbler differs from
both in having the upper plumage of a brighter
green, the under parts of a purer white, a distinct
yellow streak over each eye, the tail rather shorter,
and the wings longer in proportion.

DARTFORD WARBLER, Melizophilus Dartfordi-
ensis. Very scarce. Has been obtained by Mr.
Ferryman among some patches of furze near the
Devil's Dyke. A specimen was shot on the 3rd of
May, 1844, on " the Broyl," near Chichester. I
have carefully watched for this little bird when the
fox-hounds have been drawing the great gorse
covers, but could never succeed in detecting it.

GOLDEN-CRESTED REGULUS, or Golden-crested
Wren, Regulus cristatus. Common.

FIRE-CRESTED REGULUS, Regulus ignicapillus.
It would be well that this rare species should be
known by some other name. If it is supposed to
imply a superior vividness of the bright yellow co-
lour, the bird has no higher claim to the title than
its congener the gold-crest ; but the worst of it is
that many persons unacquainted with the most
striking distinction between these closely allied
species, understand it in this sense, and imagine

198 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

the adult male of the common golden-crested wren
to be the fire-king, and the female and immature
birds gold-crests. I have had several examples of
the former shown to me by collectors who were
labouring under this delusion. The most simple
and obvious distinction consists in the three lon-
gitudinal lines on the cheeks of R. ignicapillus,
which are absent in R. cristatus. Of these, one is
black, in which the eye is situated, above and be-
neath which passes a streak of white.

No doubt this bird frequently escapes observa-
tion from its near resemblance to its congener.
On the 3rd of October, 1843, an example was
picked up dead in a garden at Brighton. Another
was shot at Uckfield in October, 1847 ; a third,
which is in my own collection, was obtained during
the same month near Shoreham, and a fourth has
since been killed by Mr. Ellman in the neighbour-
hood of Rye.

Family PARIM.

GREAT TIT, Par us major. Common in every
part of the county.

BLUE TIT, Parus caruleus. Generally dis-
persed.

COLE TIT, Parus ater. Rare in some localities,
but comparatively numerous in others which do

PARIM. 199

not seem better suited to its habits. Is of frequent
occurrence in the neighbourhood of Chichester.
Rather scarce about Hastings, and by no means
common among the great woods of the weald.
As there is a general resemblance between this
titmouse and the next species, it may be well to
notice an easy method of distinguishing them.
The cole tit has a white spot on the nape of the
neck which is absent in the marsh tit.

MARSH TIT, Parus palustris. This seems also
to be a local species. It does not, as far as
my observation goes, evince any partiality for
swampy ground or the neighbourhood of marshes.
On the contrary, I have found it more numerous
among the large woods that crown the higher por-
tion of the lower green-sandstone formation, where
its northern escarpment abuts on the valley of the
weald, than perhaps anywhere else ; as at Henley
Hill, Bexley Hill, Pitshill, Flexham Park, and
Bedham. It is also common in Ashdown and Til-
gate forests.

LONG-TAILED TIT, Parus caudatus. Generally
distributed. Abundant among the oak woods of
the weald. The young, when able to fly, accom-
pany their parents, and wandering family parties
of from ten to twelve of these social birds may fre-
quently be noticed throughout the winter, flitting
from tree to tree, uttering their faint indistinct

200 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

note, as they climb among the branches and ex-
plore the lichens for minute insects, or curiously
pry into the crannies of the rough bark.

BEARDED TIT, Calamophilus biarmicus. Occa-
sionally found in situations adapted to its habits,
but is decidedly less numerous in Sussex than in
many other counties nearer the metropolis. Was
formerly not unusual in the neighbourhood of
Pevensey, but is now rare, most of the reed-beds
having been removed to admit of the water run-
ning freely through the dykes.

A male and female in my collection were ob-
tained near the ruins of Amberley Castle. A pair
were also shot at Fishbourne, near Chichester, by
a retired military serjeant of the name of Carter ;
a very successful gunner, who has had the good
fortune to meet with some of our rarest birds
in that neighbourhood.

Family AMPELID.E.

BOHEMIAN WAXWING, or Chatterer. Bomby-
cilla garrula. Of rare occurrence in Sussex, and
only during very severe snow and frost. In
January, 1848, two of these birds were shot in
a garden at Newtimber, feeding on the berries of
a red haw tree — a variety of the whitethorn which
produces pink or apple-like blossoms and un-

MOTACILLID^E. 201

usually large fruit — one of these is in my own
cabinet. A few years since a chatterer was killed
at Beeding, one at Newhaven, and another near
Shoreham by a person of the name of Dyer.
There is also a specimen in the Chichester mu-
seum which was shot in that neighbourhood.

During the present winter, 1849-50, several ex-
amples of the waxwing have appeared in Sussex.
It has been met with on Lewes Levels and at
Siddlesham. Mr. Spencer Dickins informs me
that two were shot at Coolhurst early in January,
another occurred at Storrington, and Mr. Walter
Burrell has favoured me with a notice of two hav-
ing been killed at West Grinstead about the same
time.

On the 22nd of January I received an example
from the Rev. W. Barlee of West Chiltington,
which had been shot on the previous day by his
son while it was in the act of devouring the berries
of a haw tree in the grounds of the Rectory.

Family MOTACILLID.E.

WHITE WAGTAIL, Motacilla alba. An occa-
sional summer visitor, but from its close resem-
blance to the pied wagtail, frequently escapes
notice, Mr. Yarrell has enumerated some of their

K 5

202 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

distinctive characters; the most striking of which,
however, is the permanent pearl gray or light ash
gray of the whole of the back in the white wag-
tail, including the upper tail coverts, which in the
pied wagtail are invariably dark.

PIED WAGTAIL, Motacilla Yarrelli. Page 81.

GRAY WAGTAIL, Motacilla boarula. A regular
winter visitor, but very partially distributed. Fre-
quents the borders of the clear rivulets on the
sandstone formation, and in the vicinity of the
Downs. Is very rare in the weald. Departs for
the North at an early period of the spring. I
once observed a pair of these birds near Woolbed-
ing on the 28th of April. The male had partly
assumed the black plumage on the throat which is
characteristic of the breeding-season. After a
patient observation and diligent search, 1 was un-
able to discover a nest, or even symptoms of
mdification. On revisiting the spot a few days
afterwards both birds had disappeared,

RAY'S WAGTAIL, Motacilla jiava. Yellow wag-
tail— Provincial, Barley-bird. Known by the
latter name in the neighbourhood of Brighton,
from its arrival being usually coincident with the
spring sowing of that grain.

ANTHID.E. 203

Family ANTHHLE.

TREE PIPIT, Anthus arboreus. Styled by the
Brighton birdcatchers "Real Titlark" to distin-
guish it from the next species. Is very nu-
merous at the period of the autumnal migration.
Page 77.

MEADOW PIPIT, or Titlark, Anthus pratensis.
Page 77.

ROCK PIPIT, or Rock Lark, Anthus petrosus.
Although restricted to the immediate neighbour-
hood of the shore, and far from numerous, this
pipit may be observed on various parts of our
coast, and is perhaps as plentiful about Shoreham,
on the low swampy grounds between the high
road and the sea, as anywhere. 1 have found its
nest near Aldwick and Pagham, among the long
rank grass which clothes the steep banks of the
mud walls, that have been erected to check the
return of the sea among the reclaimed meadows ;
and I once discovered it in a hollow on the face of
a chalk cliff near Rottingdean, a few feet from the
ground. The lower portion of this nest was com-
posed of sea-weed.

204 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Family ALAUDID.E.

SKY LARK, Alauda arvensis. Page 126.

WOOD LARK, Alauda arborea. Abundant in
the weald, but less numerous in other parts of the
county. Rarely seen on the Downs. Appears to
be more susceptible of cold than the sky lark.
During severe frost vast numbers congregate near
the coast, and are then easily killed.

CRESTED LARK, Alauda cristata. Mr. Yarrell,
in the second edition of his ' British Birds,' records
an instance of this lark having been killed in
Sussex.

Family EMBERIZID^.

LAPLAND BUNTING, Plectrophanes Lapponica.
Of this rare visitor from the North very few
examples have occurred in the British Islands,
and three of these in the neighbourhood of Brigh-
ton. The first was prior to the year 1828, and is
recorded by Mr. Jenyns as the second specimen
taken in England. The second, which is in the
collection of Mr. W. Borrer, was captured in a
lark-net in October, 1846. The third was shot
in November, 1848, by a person of the name of
Markwick, near the toll-gate at Rottingdean. He

EMBERIZID^E. 205

sent it to Mr. Swaysland with some snow buntings,
of which species he supposed it to be. I saw and
obtained this specimen immediately afterwards.

SNOW BUNTING, Snowflake or Tawny Bunting,
Plectrophanes nivalis. An occasional winter
visitor to the Downs. Not unfrequently taken
with larks during hard weather, but then generally
presenting the plumage of the tawny or immature
bird. Out of nearly forty which were captured by
one birdcatcher during a single winter — 1*847-48
— only two had the white head, which is charac-
teristic of the adult snow bunting.

COMMON BUNTING, Emberiza miliaria. Provin-
cial, Clod bird. Common in open cultivated dis-
tricts. Less frequent on the Downs, and very rare
in the weald. Plentiful in the neighbourhood of
Brighton and Worthing. Its local name would
appear to be derived from its habit of perching on
a projecting clod of turf or clay in a stubble
or fallow field, while it utters its harsh monoto-
nous note.

BLACK-HEADED BUNTING, or Reed Sparrow,
Emberiza schceniclus. Peculiar to marshy tracts
and sedgy swamps.

YELLOW BUNTING or Yellow Hammer, Embe-
riza citrinella. Generally dispersed.

CIRL BUNTING, Emberiza cirlus. A very local
bird, affecting the neighbourhood of the coast, but

206 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

seldom venturing many miles into the interior.
Common during the breeding-season in the neigh-
bourhood of Chichester, Bognor, Worthing, and
Brighton, but not met with on the northern side
of the Downs of West Sussex. I have found
its nest in tall quickset hedges. It has been
discovered in the strawberry gardens at Preston
near Brighton, and in Stanmer Park. The nidi-
fication of the cirl bunting is somewhat later than
that of the yellow hammer, seldom taking place
until May. In winter they are gregarious, and
according to my own observation they do not
congregate with other birds. In February, 1838,
when residing at Aldwick, near Bognor, I noticed
a small flock close to a newly cut hayrick, during
the prevalence of a cold easterly wind. I shot
two, a male and a female, and found their sto-
machs filled with hay-seeds. The next day the
weather was mild and the remainder departed.
Then succeeded a piercing north-easter, and they
reappeared in increased numbers at the rick,
but the scanty supply of their favourite food was
soon exhausted or blown away ; so I caused the
loft to be swept, and scattered a few handfuls
every morning at the foot of the stack. This had
the desired effect: the birds remained with me
until the return of mild weather about a week
afterwards; and although a few chaffinches and

FRINGILLID.E. 207

yellow hammers — uninvited guest — occasionally
obtruded on their little party, yet the cirl bunt-
ings seemed to avoid mingling with them, were
far more tame and confiding, and at last almost
disregarded my presence.

ORTOLAN BUNTING, Emberiza hortulana. Only
two examples of this bunting have been obtained
in Sussex — as far as I can learn. The first, which
is in the possession of Mr. W. Borrer, was shot on
the viaduct of the Brighton Railway, near the ter-
minus. The second, an immature male, was killed
together with some yellow hammers near Shore-
ham, and is in my own collection.

Family FRINGILLID.E.

CHAFFINCH, Fringilla ccelebs. Common. I
have not observed that separation of the sexes, at
any period of the year, which some authors have
noticed in other parts of England.

MOUNTAIN FINCH, Fringilla montifringilla. An
autumnal visitor, remaining during the winter and
leaving us again in the spring. Several are cap-
tured on the Downs by lark-netters. Abundant
during protracted snow and frost.

TREE SPARROW or Mountain Sparrow, Passer
montanus. A scarce bird in Sussex, but in all
probability has frequently escaped observation

208 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

from its general resemblance to the common spar-
row, from which, however, its smaller size, and the
chocolate-coloured head of the male may serve to
distinguish it. It is here a winter visitor, arriving
in October and usually departing in April. Al-
though I have not been able to discover the nest,
yet I have reason to believe that a few of these
birds remain with us during the breeding-season,
as I have received examples, recently killed, in
May and June. In the neighbourhood of Brigh-
ton it is frequently taken by birdcatchers during
the autumn, in company with linnets and redpoles.
It has also been captured in old ivy- covered walls
along with common sparrows, and it has been de-
tected among bunches of the latter species which
have been exposed for sale in the market.

HOUSE SPARROW, Passer domesticus. Abun-
dant everywhere.

GREENFINCH, Coccothraustes chloris. Generally
distributed, but less common in the weald than
elsewhere. Migrates in the autumn. Page 78.

HAWFINCH, Coccothraustes vulgar is. Of uncer-
tain occurrence, being not unusual during some
years, and comparatively rare in others. Is gene-
rally observed about autumn, when haws, cherries,
and stone-fruit are in season. Bred in Stanmer
Park during the summer of 1847. The young
birds, after they had left the nest, frequented the

FRINGILLID.E. 209

neighbourhood of the gardener's cottage, and were
all caught by his children in brick traps baited
with peas : these juvenile observers having noticed
that several pods of that vegetable had been pre-
viously shelled by the hawfinches.

GOLDFINCH, Carduelis elegans. Page 79.

SISKIN, Carduelis spinus. Arrives in the au-
tumn. I have frequently noticed it at that sesson
feeding on the seeds of the alder in company with
the lesser redpole. Congregates, during severe
weather, with linnets and greenfinches. Departs
for the North in the early spring.

COMMON LINNET, Linota cannabina. Common.

MEALY REDPOLE, Linota canescens. Provincial,
Stone Redpole. Appears to have decreased con-
siderably of late years. Was common in the
neighbourhood of Brighton, and especially on
Poynings Common, during one season, about fif-
teen years ago. Has been comparatively scarce
ever since. A few, however, are taken every year
by professional birdcatchers. Mr. Yarrell has
very clearly pointed out the specific distinctions
between this bird and the lesser redpole, of which
it was formerly supposed to be merely a variety.

LESSER REDPOLE, Linota linaria.} Both winter

TWITE, Linota montium. ) visitors, re-

tiring northwards on the approach of spring.

210 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Partial to the Downs and open country. Rare
in the weald.

BULLFINCH, Pyrrhula vulgar is, Generally dis-
persed.

PINE GROSBEAK, Pyrrhula enucleator. I can
record but two instances of the occurrence of this
rare bird in Sussex. An example was shot a few
years ago near Cotes House, about three miles
from Petworth, while feeding on the seeds of a
pinaster, by a gentleman of the name of Mellersh,
who, being well acquainted with British birds, at
once recognized the species. In February, 1848,
two were killed at the same time in Ashdown
Forest. One of them, which I saw, was an adult
male.

COMMON CROSSBILL, Loxia curvirostra. An
accidental visitor. In the autumn of 1835 great
numbers of these birds were observed in most of
the pine woods and larch plantations of Sussex.
They were abundant during that year at Salt Hill,
near Chichester, and in the neighbourhood of
Midhurst and Parham. Like the hawfinch, the
crossbill is very uncertain and irregular in its ap-
pearance.

CORVIM. 211

Family STURNID^E.

COMMON STARLING, Sturnus vulgaris. Abun-
dant.

ROSE-COLOURED PASTOR, Pastor roseus. A very
rare straggler. I understand that it has been shot
once in the eastern division of the county, but
cannot ascertain the precise locality. I know of
two instances of its occurrence in West Sussex.
The first was at Mundham, near Chichester, in
1836. The second at Selsey in 1838. The
stomach of the latter specimen contained a great
quantity of the larvae of coleopterous insects.
»

Family CORVID.E.

CHOUGH, Fregilus graculus. Late writers on
British Ornithology speak of this bird as a deni-
zen of the cliffs of Beachy Head. 1 regret to
say that it is to be found there no longer. This
was certainly its last stronghold, but it dis-
appeared from the coast about twenty years ago.
I have frequently examined the entire line of cliffs
between Brighton and Eastbourne, but could
never — even with the assistance of a spy-glass —
discover one, or procure a recent specimen in any
part of Sussex.

RAVEN, Corvus cor ax. Page 147.

212 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

CARRION CROW, Corvus corone. Page 97.

HOODED CROW, Corvus comix. Page 100.

ROOK, Corvus frugilegus. Abundant.

JACKDAW, Corvus monedula. Plentiful. Page
151.

MAGPIE, Pica caudata. Frequents extensive
woods and fir plantations during the breeding-sea-
son ; and congregates, in small parties, on the
Downs and in open parts of the county during
the winter.

JAY, Garrulus glandarius. This beautiful bird
may still be found in all our great woods, riot-
withstanding his persecution at the hands of the
keeper. In parts of the weald where the preser-
vation of game is not attended to, the species
is even numerous, and their harsh, wild cry con-
tinually greets you, as you wander among the oak
forests of that region.

NUTCRACKER, Nucifraga caryocatactes. I have
seen a specimen of this rare wanderer which was
shot at Alfriston by Mr. Newman, a gentleman
residing in that neighbourhood.

Tribe SCANSORES. — Family PICID.E.

GREEN WOODPECKER, Picus viridis. Provincial,
Yaffle. Has decreased of late years, but is still
far from uncommon, particularly in the weald.

PICID^E. 213

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, Picus major.
Provincial, French Woodpecker. Scarcer than
the last, but specimens are procured almost every
year, either in the adult or immature state.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, Picus minor.
Provincial, Little French Woodpecker. By far
the rarest of the three species. A male was shot in
1 844 at Arundel ; another at Albourne in Decem-
ber in 1848; and one was captured at Parham
House, which had flown into a room through the
open window. It has also been killed near Chi-
chester, and occasionally in the eastern division
of the county.

WRYNECK, Yunx torquilla. Provincial, Rind-
ing Bird. One of the few local epithets worth
recording.* So termed in many parts of Sussex

* I confess that I do not attach so much importance to
provincial nomenclature as it would appear to possess in thfr
eyes of some persons. The local names in this Catalogue
are but few : they have been culled from a heterogeneous
mass which had accumulated in my note-books, and which
might be supposed to have originated in the Tower of
Babel. I have noticed only such as appeared to be expres-
sive of some quality, or property of, or circumstance relating
to the birds themselves — such as " the barley bird," "the
rinding bird," "the parson-gull," "the duck-hawk," &c.
— or those which, seeming sufficiently established by gene-
ral usage in their respective districts to have superseded the
oFdinary and recognized names, might therefore be practi-

214 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

from its appearance in the spring being supposed
to indicate the proper time for felling the oak trees

cally useful to the collector in his enquiries amongst the
natives. But as a general rule, I am strongly of opinion
that these provincial names ought to be discarded from all
works on Natural History. Most of them are quite inap-
propriate, others devoid of point or meaning, and while in
one order of birds the same silly nickname is frequently ap-
plied indiscriminately to every individual in a family, in
another we find a single species honoured with as many
titles as a German Prince, the signification of which —
when indeed they signify anything — is frequently derived
from some imaginary attribute or peculiarity.

The object of our researches, and of all communications
on this and kindred subjects, ought to be to discover truth,
not to propagate error ; to diffuse science, not to dissemi-
nate barbarism ; and so far from encouraging the country
people in retaining their incomprehensible misnomers, we
should take every opportunity of setting them right, point-
ing out the salient differences of species, and fixing the
proper English names in their minds. We might often
derive much useful and valuable information from such
people as fishermen, shepherds, woodmen, and game-
keepers, which will be either lost to us, or rendered worse
than useless, if we are constantly in danger of being misled
by gross confusion of names ; and this confusion would be
even worse confounded, if the usual designations, accepted
and established by competent authority, should be mis-
applied to other species than those to which such authority
has assigned them.

CERTHIAD,E. 215

and removing the bark or rind from the trunks and
branches, an employment in which a considerable
portion of the agricultural population of the weald
and other woodland parts of the county are en-
gaged at this period of the year. The operation
of "rinding" cannot be attempted until the sap
has begun to flow. Then myriads of minute
insects, which have hibernated in the deepest re-
cesses of the bark, are roused from their winter's
sleep, and move nearer to the surface. These now
constitute the principal food of the wryneck, who
immediately on his arrival sets seriously to work,
and with his long elastic tongue extracts them
rapidly from the crevices. His monotonous,
hawk-like cry is anxiously expected by the wood-
man at this season.

Family CERTHIAD^E.

COMMON CREEPER, Certhia familiaris. Gene-
rally distributed.

WREN, Troglodytes Europceus. Abundant.

HOOPOE, Upupa epops. Has been killed in
different parts of Sussex, generally near the coast.
The Duke of Richmond informs me that he shot a
hoopoe some years ago on Selhurst Park down,
about two miles and a half from Goodwood Race-
course and nine from the sea, as the crow flies.

216 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Two instances are on record of these birds having
built their nest and reared their young in the
county. One of these is mentioned by Mr. Yar-
rell, and the fact is still remembered in the neigh-
bourhood of Chichester. The other occurred a
few years ago at Southwick, near Shoreham, where
a pair of hoopoes and their young ones were dis-
covered in an old hollow tree. The latter lived
for some time in the possession of Mr. Waring
Kidd, of Brighton. In September, 1839, I shot a
female of this species near the beach between
Pagham and Selsey, on the borders of a coppice
of stunted oak trees. An adult male was killed
soon afterwards at Itchenor by Mr. Gibbs. I have
seen ari example which was procured at Fish-
bourne. On the 19th of April, 1840, a hoopoe
was shot near Rottingdean ; another on the llth
of September in the same year at Ovingdean, near
Worthing ; and it has occurred occasionally HI the
neighbourhood of Alfriston.

NUTHATCH, Sitta Europ&a. Generally dis-
persed, but not numerous anywhere. Although
some remain with us during winter, their numbers
are reinforced by visitors from the continent every
spring.

HALCYONID.E. 217

Family CUCULID/E.

COMMON CUCKOO, Cuculus canorus. May be
heard in all parts of the country after his arrival
in April.

Tribe FISSIROSTRES. — Family MEROPIM.

ROLLER, Coracias garrula. This scarce and
beautiful bird has been killed occasionally in Sus-
sex. An example was shot by Mr. Tomsett, of
Alfriston, in that neighbourhood; and another in
July, 1843, on Chinton Farm, near the sea at
Cuckmere haven, by a person in the employment
of Mr. Scott, of Littlington, near Lewes.

BEE-EATER, Merops apiaster. A specimen of
this rare straggler was shot by Serjeant Carter,
near Chichester on the 6th of May, 1829 ; and
Mr. Ellman, of Rye, has sent me word that he
possesses an example which was killed at Ickles-
ham.

Family HALCYONID.E.

KINGFISHER, Alcedo ispida. Breeds in deep
holes on the steep banks of some of the clear
streams on the sandstone formation. Is very rare
during that season in the weald, where the waters

L

218 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

are generally turbid. Frequents salt marshes near
the coast in the winter.

Family HIRUNDINIM.

SWALLOW, Hirundo rustica. Abundant.

MARTIN, Hirundo urbica. Equally so.

SAND MARTIN, Hirundo riparia. Almost un-
known in the weald of West Sussex, but common
to the south of that district. Most of the large
sandpits in the county are honeycombed by colo-
nies of these birds. It is rare among the Downs,
and of unusual occurrence on the maritime tract
between them and the sea.

COMMON SWIFT, Cypselus apus. Provincial,
Screecher. Abundant. Arrives about the 1st of
May, and leaves us about the middle of August.

Family CAPRIMULGID.E.

NIGHTJAR or Fern Owl, Caprimulgus Europceus.
Partially distributed, being very common during
summer in the weald, as well as on open heaths
and gorse-covered commons, but of rare occur-
rence in more cultivated arid populous parts of the
county.

COLUMBIA. 219

Order RASORES. — Family COLUMBIA.

RING-DOVE, Columba palumbus. Common.
Congregates in great flocks during the autumn.
Is very partial to acorns and beech -mast.

STOCK DOVE, Columba anas. I have found
small parties of these pigeons in the autumn and
winter, among the wooded valleys of the Downs.
During summer they are not seen in flocks. They
breed in the hollow trunks of some of the old oak
trees. I have discovered their nest and eggs in
such situations at Cowdray and Petworth.

TURTLE DOVE, Columba turtur. A summer
visitor, arriving in May. Abundant in the oak
woods of the weald. Rare in open parts of the
county at the same season. On the approach of
autumn they frequent fields of rape. After these
have been cut or " fed off," their partiality to salt
prompts them to haunt the sea-shore. They may
then be observed in great numbers on the muddy
banks near the mouth of Shoreham harbour, and
in similar situations along the coast.

Family PHASIANID.E.

COMMON PHEASANT, Phasianus Colchicus.
Page 163.

L2

220 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Family TETRAONID.E.

BLACK GROUSE, Tetrao tetrix. Page 162.

COMMON PARTRIDGE, Perdix cinerea. Page
167.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE, Perdix rufa. Page
168.

COMMON QUAIL, Coturnixvulgaris. Page 169.

Family STRUTHIONID^E.

LITTLE BUSTARD, Otis tetrax. On the autho-
rity of Mr. Jenyns I give the little bustard a place
in this Catalogue. Vide ' Manual of British
Vertebrate Animals,' p. 176.

NOTE. — The Great Bustard, Otis tar da. Markwick
says that the great bustard used to be seen on the South
Downs in his time. White of Selborne also observed it
there. The latest instance of its having been observed in
Sussex appears to be that of a single example, which was
occasionally seen about twenty-five years ago near Blateh-
ington by Mr. Catt, who then occupied that farm. It used
to frequent the flat table-land which runs for a considerable
distance in the direction of the Dyke. I have met with
some very old people, who, in their younger days, have
seen flocks of these noble birds on the Downs.

CHARADRIID.E. 221

Order GRALLATORES.— Family CHARADRIIDJS .

GREAT PLOVER, (Edicnemus crepitans. This
bird is known by at least half-a-dozen different
names in Sussex. In some localities it has
usurped the title of the last-named species, and
is confidently termed "the little bustard." This is
unfortunate.

GOLDEN PLOVER, Charadrius pluvialis. Not
infrequent during winter, particularly near the
coast.

DOTTEREL, Charadrius morinellus. Arrives
about the end of April, on certain portions of the
Downs between Brighton and Beachy Head.
Several are killed every year in the neighbour-
hood of Alfriston. Is seen frequently near Hail-
sham and Battle. Rare in the western division of
the county. The line of its vernal migration
would seem to be North-west. Does not breed in
Sussex. Reappears in September on its return to
the south.

RINGED PLOVER, Charadrius hiaticula. Pro-
vincial, Stone Runner. Common along the coast
during the entire year. Their numbers increase
in the spring, although not so palpably as those of
the dunlins and other Scolopacidce.

222 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

KENTISH PLOVER, Charadrius Cantianus. This
bird strongly resembles the last, but its body is
smaller, and its legs much longer. The plumage
is also of a lighter colour. Several arrive for the
breeding-season on Rye Marsh, and on the shores
of Pevensey Bay. Their eggs and young are fre-
quently found on the coasts of East Sussex, but
they migrate southwards in the winter. They do
not associate with their congeners, the ringed
plovers, but are generally observed either alone or
in pairs. I have never been able to discover it
westward of Brighton, but Mr. Gould says that it
has been killed at Selsey, near Pagham. In the
museum of the Mechanic's Institute at Hastings
are several specimens, adult and immature, which
have been procured in that neighbourhood.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, Charadrius minor.
Has been obtained on two or three occasions
in Sussex. The specimen from which Mr. Gould
took his description was killed at Shoreham, and
there is another in Mr. W. Borrer's collection,
which was shot in the same neighbourhood during
the month of May.

GRAY PLOVER, Squatarola cinerea. A winter
visitor of by no means ordinary occurrence, except
during severe weather. Specimens killed in this
county generally present the usual gray plumage,

CHARADRIID.E. 223

in which state T have met with this bird at Pagham
harbour. I have received an example shot in
March, near Chichester, which had already as-
sumed several black feathers on the breast.

PEEWIT, Vanellus cristatus. Numerous on
waste lands and heathy commons during the
breeding-season. Congregate in the autumn and
winter, and appear partial to ploughed fields.

TURNSTONE Strepsilas interpres. Rather a
scarce bird. I have met with it occasionally on
different parts of the coast.

SANDERLING, Calidris arenaria. Not uncom-
mon in the winter, when the upper plumage is of
a very light gray colour and the lower white.
It has been killed occasionally, but rarely, during
the summer : its appearance is then nearly similar
to that of the dunlin : it may, however, always be
distinguished from that bird by its shorter beak
and by the absence of the hind toe.

OYSTER-CATCHER, or Olive, H&matopus ostrale-
gus. Is observed on the coast, late in March or
early in April, either singly or in small parties of
two or three. They seem to pass westward,
remaining with us only about a week or a fort-
night. In September, however, they reappear?
accompanied by the birds of the year. As many
as thirty have been seen together at this season
near Shoreham.

224 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Family ARDEID^E.

COMMON HERON, Ardea cinerea. Page 14.
Besides the heronry at Parham, there is also a
smaller colony near Hurstmoncieux, on the pro-
perty of Mr. Curteis, M.P.

PURPLE HERON, Ardea purpurea. An example
of this rare heron was shot on the 28th of Septem-
ber, 1848, at Worthing, by a gentleman of the
name of Paul. It was preserved by Mr. Andrews
of that town, and is now in the museum of the
Cambridge Philosophical Society.

LITTLE EGRET, Ardea garzetta. When the
first edition of this work was printed I was not
aware that the little egret was entitled to a place in
the Sussex fauna. I have since been informed by
Mr. Spencer Dickins, of Coolhurst, that there is a
good specimen in the possession of Sir Percy
Shelley, which was shot a few years ago at Warn-
ham Millpond.

LITTLE BITTERN, Botaurus minutus. An adult
male specimen of this scarce British bird was
killed at Pulborough in May, 1842, on the banks
of a pond abounding in aquatic plants, in the gar-
den of the Rev. J. Austin, the rector of that parish,
who kindly presented it to me. To this gentleman
I am indebted for many valuable ornithological

ARDEID^E. 225

acquisitions procured in his immediate neighbour-
hood.

COMMON BITTERN, Botaurus stellaris. Of less
frequent occurrence than formerly. Is sometimes
met with among tall reeds on the banks of large
ponds and in sedgy swamps, but from the size and
remarkable appearance of the bird, when on the
wing, there is little chance, now-a-days, of its re-
maining for any length of time undiscovered or
unmolested. I have seen the bittern flushed from
the reed-beds at the upper pond in Burton Park.

NIGHT HERON, Nycticorax Gardeni. Has been
shot on two or three occasions in Sussex. Mr.
W. Borrer informed me that he examined a recent
specimen, which was killed near Alfriston, in No-
vember, 1839 — a bird of the year. Since that
period another example has occurred near Cuck-
mere Haven.

WHITE SPOONBILL, Platalea leucorodia. A rare~~~
straggler. Has been shot at Rye and at Pagham
Harbour. The Chichester museum contains an
example which was killed in that neighbourhood,
and a fine specimen in my own collection was shot
near Seaford, in the autumn of 1844.

L5

226 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Family SCOLOPACID^E.

COMMON CURLEW, Numenius arquata. Abun-
dant during the winter on most parts of the coast.

WHIMBREL, Numenius phaeopus. Provincial,
Titterel. Page 8. Is rarely met with in the win-
ter, but arrives about the time that the curlews
depart for their northern summer quarters. Small
flocks of whimbrels may be noticed during the
month of May on the shores of Peveusey Bay, and
in similar situations. I have found them between
Pagham and Selsey, as late as the middle of
June, but although I have diligently examined
the shingle for miles, I never could discover their
eggs, or ascertain that others had been more fortu-
nate than myself. The whimbrels observed at
this period would seem to be the latest arrivals
from the southern parts of the continent — probably
backward-bred birds of the preceding year — and
as they disappear before J uly, it may be supposed
that they follow the example of their predecessors,
in halting for a few weeks on the shores of Sus-
sex, preparatory to resuming their journey to the
North.

SPOTTED REDSHANK, Totanus fuscus. Has
been killed at Shoreham, in the immature state.

SCOLOPACIM. 227

COMMON REDSHANK, Totanus calidris. Not un-
usual on some parts of the coast at the period of
the autumnal migration— the latter end of August
or the beginning of September. Several have
been killed at Pagham, and near the mouths of the
tide-rivers at Shoreham and Newhaven.

GREEN SANDPIPER, Totanus ochropus. Is gene-
rally found during the autumn and winter on the
banks of rivers, brooks and ponds, at a distance
from the sea. Has not been known to breed in
Sussex, but occasionally remains with us during
the summer. In June, 1843, I observed four on
the borders of a pond, through which ran a clear
trout stream, at Cocking, near Midhurst; but I
could not discover a nest or eggs, and the local
gamekeeper, whose attention I particularly directed
to the subject, was equally unsuccessful. When
disturbed at the pond, these birds used to retire
into the great woods in the immediate neighbour-^
hood. Suspecting that they might pos$ibly be
examples of Totanus glareola, I procured one of
them in the following July, but on examination, it
proved to be an adult male of Totanus ochropus.

COMMON SANDPIPER, Totanus hypoleucos. A
summer visitor. Rarely found on the shore, but
frequently met with on the banks of inland
streams, among the grassy borders of which the
nest is placed.

228 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

GREENSHANK, Totanus glottis. Of less fre-
quent occurrence than the redshank, but makes
its appearance about the same time. Haunts and
habits similar.

AVOCET, Recurvirostra avocetta. A rare visi-
tor. Small flocks have occasionally been met
with, but the bird has generally been found alone.
Three were killed, out of a party of six, at Pagham
Harbour, some years ago; and another on the
banks of the Adur, above the old wooden bridge
at Shoreham, by Mr. Hampton, of Applesham.
In February, 1848, an example occurred near
Hailsham, and on the 1st of September in the
same year, my friend Captain Shirley, shot a bird
of this species at Lurgashall, about four miles
north of Petworth, and nearly twenty from the sea.
It rose at some distance, from the banks of a large
pond, and continued to fly round his head for
a considerable time in wide but gradually di-
minishing circles. This specimen, which he
kindly forwarded to me immediately, was a bird
of the year.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, Limosa melanura. A
very rare bird in Sussex. I have never seen a re-
cent example, but it has been killed once or twice,
in the immature state, near Amberley; also on
Pevensey levels and Rye marshes.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT, Limosa rufa. I will ad-

SCOLOPACIDJ2. 229

duce this bird as an example of the vernal and
autumnal migrations which I believe to be per-
formed by most of the Grallatores.

In summer there are, perhaps, fewer of the
Scolopacidae in Sussex than at any other period of
the year. About the beginning of September their
numbers rapidly increase, being reinforced by par-
ties arriving from their summer quarters in the
North, on their way to the South of Europe.
They are, generally speaking, more abundant on
our shores at this time than at any other, although
many of course remain with us during the winter,
when they may be found at Pagham, Shoreham,
Newhaven, and in similar localities. Godwits then
appear in their plain gray garb, and are all equally
wary and gun-shy from repeated persecution ; but
about the latter end of March fresh detachments
begin to arrive, the males presenting the gay ferru-
ginous nuptial attire, for like all spring visitors —
from the continent — whether land, wading, or
swimming birds — they are much farther advanced
towards the plumage peculiar to the breeding-
season than those which have sojourned here dur-
ing the winter. The dunlins, which arrive at the
same time, have the black breast fully developed.
The curlew sandpiper — or pigmy curlew — now
suddenly appears in his beautiful summer dress,

230 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

and the same remark applies to many congenerous
birds.

The practical observer or collector should not
fail to look out carefully for good specimens dur-
ing this brief but golden period. However regular
hitherto his visits to their favourite haunts, yet his
expeditions will have been comparatively fruitless
and unsatisfactory until now, and the first intima-
tion of the arrival of the strangers will probably be
the appearance on some muddy bank, at ebb-tide,
of a little party of confiding godwits, all in the full
breeding-plumage, when perhaps not a single bird
of the same species had occurred on any pre-
vious day during the season in the same state of
feather.

RUFF, Machetes pugnax. A scarce bird in Sus-
sex, except on poulterers' stalls. I never knew an
adult male killed here during the summer, but
have met with it at Pagham in the winter, when
the plumage resembled that of the female, or
reeve — the ornamental ruff having then disap-
peared. One of the latter was captured in a sin-
gular manner a few years ago near Hove. It flew
into a birdcatcher's net, apparently attracted by
the decoy lark. It was sent alive to Mr. Sways-
land, of Brighton.

In a bird of the year the fore part of the neck

SCOLOPACID.E. 231

and breast is of a reddish gray, or buff colour, and
in this state of plumage it is sometimes mistaken
for that rare bird, the buff-breasted sandpiper, by
those who have never seen an example of the lat-
ter species. Mr. Yarrell has clearly pointed out
the distinctions.

WOODCOCK, Scolopax rusticola. Abundant in
many of the great woods of Sussex during the win-
ter. Breeds regularly in some parts of the weald.
At Hollycombe young woodcocks are found every
summer,* and Sir Charles Taylor has shown me
the female bird sitting on its eggs in a plantation
within a few minutes' walk of the house. The nest
is a mere hollow in the ground, lined with a few
dead leaves. I have also seen another in the
act of incubation, in an oak coppice at Barkfold,
near Kirdford. By cautiously creeping towards
the spot on my hands and knees, I succeeded in
approaching within a few yards, and could see the-
full black eye of the bird apparently fixed upon
me. When at last sufficiently alarmed to quit the
nest, instead of flying away hurriedly, she quietly
slipped off it, and ran with an almost noiseless
pace for about twenty yards before she took wing.
The eggs, four in number, were subsequently
hatched.

* Vide Jesse's ' Gleanings in Natural History,' vol. ii.
p. 184.

232 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

GREAT SNIPE, Scolopax major. An occasional
straggler. Has been killed on Pevensey levels,
and one was shot in the month of October, a few
years ago, by Mr. Trist, a wine-merchant at Brigh-
ton, on the Downs near the race-course, a singular
locality for this bird.

COMMON SNIPE, Scolopax gallinago. Tolerably
abundant in the winter, on moors and extensive
tracts of low meadow land after the subsidence of
great floods.

JACK SNIPE, Scolopax gallinula. Of less fre-
quent occurrence than the last, but not uncom-
mon.

SABINE'S SNIPE, Scolopax Sabini. So named
by Mr. Vigors — the first describer of the species —
in 1822, in compliment to the late Mr. Sabine,
then tlje^Secretary of the Zoological Club.

On the 5th of March, 1845, Serjeant Carter,
of Chichester, to whose frequent success I have
already alluded (vide Bee-eater), shot a very fine
example of this, the rarest bird, perhaps, in the
world. It rose from the banks of a stream called
the Lavant, at Appledram, near Chichester Har-
bour. It did not utter a cry, like the common
snipe — a fact which coincides with the previous
observation of Colonel Bonham. Only six in-
stances of its occurrence are on record, and all of

SCOLOPACIM. 233

these in the British Islands.* I was fortunate
enough to become the possessor of this prize.
The plumage exactly resembles that of the speci-
men in the museum of the Zoological Society in
the Regent's Park, from which the first description
was taken by Mr. Vigors, as well as that in the
possession of Colonel Bonham, shot by himself in
Ireland, which I have since examined. Altogether
it has very much the look of a diminutive wood-
cock, but is of dark copper-colour, beautifully
mottled with transverse pencillings of a lighter hue :
the top of the head and back of the neck are of a
sooty black. In size it is intermediate between
the common and the jack-snipe, but the beak is
even longer in proportion than that of the former,
and the legs shorter. This, of course, is only
intended as a rough sketch of its general appear-
ance : for specific details, the reader is referred to
Yarrell's ' British Birds,' and Jenyns's c Manual of
British Vertebrate Animals.'

CURLEW SANDPIPER or PIGMY CURLEW, Tringa
subarquata. Has been obtained frequently on the
coast during the autumn and winter. Scarce in
summer.

KNOT, Tringa canutus. Several are killed every
autumn and winter, of the usual light gray colour.

* Vide Yarrell's ' History of British Birds,' second edition.

234 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Less frequently met with in the spring and sum-
mer when presenting the ferruginous plumage
peculiar to that season, except during the brief
period that intervenes between their arrival from
the continent and the resumption of their journey
towards the North.

LITTLE STINT, Tringa minuta. Rather a scarce
bird, but specimens have been obtained near
Shoreham, Pagham, and Hastings.

TEMMINCK'S STINT, Tringa Temminckii. A
very rare species. Mr. Yarrell says that he has
seen examples which were procured in the neigh-
bourhood of Chichester. About two years ago
one was shot at Cuckmere haven, and is now in
the collection of Mr. Baillie, of Mellerston, N. B.

DUNLIN, Tringa variabilis. Abundant on most
parts of the coast.

PURPLE SANDPIPER, Tringa maritima. Has
been frequently shot during the autumn and
winter.

Family RALLIDJE.

LANDRAIL, Crex pratensis. A few are occa-
sionally met with near the Downs on their arrival
in April, at which time they are lean and in bad
condition. Rarely found here during the breeding-
season. At the period of the autumnal migration

RALLID^E. 235

they are not infrequent, more especially on the
arable portion of the Downs. They are often
flushed by sportsmen during September in clover
fields, and are then excessively fat and highly
prized by epicures.

Mr. Yarrell records an instance of two shooters
in the neighbourhood of Battle, in this county,
killing "fifteen couple of landrails in one day, and
seven couple the next day." This of course was
an extraordinary occurrence.

SPOTTED CRAKE, Crex porzana. Arrives from
the continent about the latter end of March or
early in April, and examples have at that period
been occasionally taken in an exhausted state,
within the precincts of the town of Brighton.
After a dark stormy night, in the spring of 1841,
a spotted crake was found alive in the churchyard
of Trinity Chapel, probably attracted — like many
other migratory birds which have been captured
in the gardens and even in the areas of the houses
— by the long line of gas-lights which extends al-
most without interruption from Brunswick Terrace
to Kemp -Town.

Specimens have been shot near Storrington in
the autumn, and several were killed during the
month of October, 1841, on Henfield Common.

LITTLE CRAKE, Crex pusilla. A little crake
was caught alive a few years ago near Beeding

236 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

chalk-pits, (vide Yarrell). I have also seen a spe-
cimen in the possession of the proprietor of the
Dolphin Inn at Shoreham, which was shot by
himself in that neighbourhood. I am not aware
that a third example of this scarce bird has oc-
curred in Sussex.

WATER RAIL, Rallus aquaticus. Has frequently
been captured on the beach, and in different parts
of Brighton, during the period of the vernal migra-
tion, under circumstances to which I have already
alluded, (vide Spotted Crake). About the middle
of April, 1842, a couple were taken in East- street,
and several on the same morning within the areas
of houses on the King's-road and on Brunswick-
terrace.

MOORHEN, Gallinula chloropus. Common on
the banks of rivers, brooks and ditches.

COMMON COOT, Fulica atra. Not so generally
distributed as the last species, but numerous on
many large ponds whose banks are furnished with
reeds and sedges.

Family LOBIPEDID^E.

GRAY PHALAROPE, Phalaropus lobatus. Has
been occasionally obtained in the spring — in the
red plumage peculiar to the breeding-season — but
more frequently during the autumn when return-

LOBIPEPID.E. 237

ing to the continent from its northern summer
quarters. During September, 1846, after a severe
gale from the south-west which lasted for some
days, great numbers of gray phalaropes suddenly
appeared on various parts of the coast of Sussex :
many were shot, others taken in a dying state, and
some killed with stones as they were swimming
among the breakers near the shore. They ap-
peared almost simultaneously at Pagham, Wor-
thing, Shoreham, Newhaven, and Hastings. By
far the greater number of these phalaropes were
birds of the year.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, Phalaropus hyperbo-
reus. A very rare straggler from the North. A
few years ago a bird of this species was taken alive
on the beach near Hastings, and subsequently
preserved by Mr. Bissenden, a bird-stufier in that
town. In this species the rufous colour is re-
stricted to the neck and breast, the upper plumage
being generally of a dark lead tint. This, to-
gether with its smaller size, more slender and
pointed bill, and proportionably longer legs, may
at all seasons serve to distinguish it from the gray
phalarope.

238 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

Order NATATORES.— Family ANATID^E.

GRAY-LEGGED GOOSE, Anser ferus. The com-
mon wild goose of some authors. One of our rarest
AnatidcB. Has been occasionally shot during very
severe winters. I obtained two at Pagham, in
1839.

BEAN GOOSE, Anser segetum. Not unusual
during hard weather.

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, Anser alUfrons. Ex-
amples of this species are met with every winter
on the coast.

BERNICLE GOOSE, Anser leucopsis. I procured
a few specimens of the bernicle during December,
1838, and January, 1839, at Pagham Harbour,
and it has occurred at Shoreham and Rye, but it
can only be considered as a visitant of rare oc-
currence.

BRENT GOOSE, Anser torquatus. During the
severe winter to which I have just alluded, brent
geese were unusually abundant at Pagham Har-
bour. I shot several myself. This is the best
bird I ever tasted : the flesh is as tender and juicy
as that of a teal, and there is a total absence of
the fishy flavour which renders so many of our
water-fowl unfit for the table.

EGYPTIAN GOOSE, Anser Egyptiacus. Although
unknown in Sussex until within the last few years,

ANATID.E. 239

several examples of the Egyptian goose have oc-
curred in different parts of the county. These were
probably the descendants of birds which had been
introduced into England from abroad ; and which
have been known in many instances to have es-
caped from ponds and ornamental pieces of water.
One in my own collection was shot at Shoreham
Harbour, in December, 1847. I have seen a spe-
cimen at Hollycombe which was killed in that
neighbourhood. It has also been obtained at
Bexhill, and in various parts of the interior.

HOOPER, Cygnus ferus. Wild Swan or Whist-
ling Swan. An unusually severe winter always
brings this bird to our coast. In January, 1839, 1
saw several flocks at Pagham, and procured many
specimens.

MUTE SWAN, Cygnus olor. Seen in a half-
domesticated state on ponds and rivers. Some-
times a male of this species performs a sort of
partial migration, and proves that he can make use
of his wings when occasion requires it. A swan
will then occasionally disappear, and all enquiries
in the neighbourhood proving ineffectual, the loss
is attributed to the poacher or the midnight rob-
ber, until perhaps it is discovered that the bird
had only joined some solitary spinster on a distant
pond, where she had been doomed to float for
many years in " single blessedness."

240 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

COMMON SHELLDRAKE, Tadorna vulpanser. Not
uncommon, but generally found in the immature
state.

SHOVELER, Anas clypeata. Has frequently
occurred during winter on different parts of the
coast.

GADWALL, Anas strepera. Rather a scarce
bird. Has been occasionally shot at Pagham and
Shoreham.

PINTAIL DUCK, Anas acuta. An ordinary win-
ter visitor.

WILD DUCK, Anas boschas. Common.

GARGANEY DUCK, Anas querquedula. Imma-
ture examples of the garganey are not unusual in
the winter at Pagham, Shoreham, Rye, and
Hastings. Adult specimens — particularly males —
are rare.

TEAL, Anas crecca. Of frequent occurrence.

WIGEON, Anas Penelope. A regular winter vi-
sitant, in considerable numbers.

EIDER DUCK, Somateria mollissima. A very
rare wanderer from the North. An immature spe-
cimen was shot by Serjeant Carter, in November,
1830, at Chichester Harbour, and two were killed
some years ago, associated with a flock of brent
geese on Rye Marsh.

VELVET SCOTER, Oidemia fusca. Rare. Sel-
dom ventures on shore even in hard weather, but

ANATID^E. 241

has been observed a few miles at sea, being, how-
ever, very wild and difficult of approach. I have
a specimen which was killed off Selsey Bill.

COMMON SCOTER, Oidemia nigra. Abundant
in the neighbourhood of the coast during severe
winters, and may be observed in mid-channel at
all times of the year. The fishermen call them
"black ducks."

POCHARD or DUN BIRD, Fuligula ferina. Of
frequent occurrence in inclement seasons, and
equally acceptable to the wild-fowl-shooter and
the gourmand.

SCAUP DUCK, Fuligula marila. Perhaps the
most common species, after the wigeon, that is
met with on this coast during the winter months.

TUFTED DUCK, Fuligula cristata. Almost as
abundant as the last.

LONG-TAILED DUCK, Fuligula glacialis. Adult
specimens of the long-tailed duck are of rare oc-
currence in Sussex. It is strictly a winter visitor,
and a continuance of severe weather is necessary
to induce it to wander so far from its northern
haunts. In 1839 I shot a young male, at Pagham
Harbour, out of a flock of scaup ducks. Immature
examples have occurred on other parts of the
coast, near Chichester, Brighton, and Pevensey;
and I have a specimen which was shot as far

M

242 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

inland as Amberley, during the hard winter of
1844-45.

GOLDEN EYE, Fuligula clangula. Adult males
are unusual, but females and young birds are
killed on the coast every winter, and on rivers and
ponds several miles inland. I have shot it at
Pagham, and have received several specimens
killed at Burton and Pulborough, presenting that
state of the immature plumage in which it has
been called the Morillon.

SMEW, Mergus albellm. Like the golden eye,
the females and young males of this species are
most frequently met with. They have been killed
in various parts of the county. I have, however,
seen many examples of the adult male bird. One
is in my own collection which was shot at Shore-
ham; there is another at Hollycombe, obtained
in that neighbourhood. Two have been killed at
Burton on the upper pond ; one, a few years ago,
which is still preserved there; the other during
the present winter — a very beautiful specimen —
has been kindly presented to me by Mr. Bain-
bridge. It has also occurred at Amberley, Pag-
ham, and Newhaven.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, Mergus serrator.
Males in the perfect plumage are very rare.
Females and immature birds of both sexes have
frequently occurred.

COLYMBID.E. 243

GOOSANDER, Mergus merganser. A rare visi-
tor to Sussex, except during inclement seasons.
Young birds have occasionally been killed at dif-
ferent places on the coast.

Family COLYMBID.E.

GREAT-CRESTED GREBE, Podiceps crislatus.
Not uncommon on large ponds with reedy banks.
Has been observed at Burton at all times of the
year. Adult males have been killed at Chichester
Harbour and Pagham. Generally met with in the
immature state, when it is the Tippet Grebe of
earlier authors.

RED-NECKED GREBE, Podiceps rubricollis. A
few examples of this rare grebe have been obtained
in Sussex, and all of these — I believe — on the
coast, being more marine in its habits than any of
its congeners. In the Chichester museum there is
a very fine adult specimen which was shot in one
of the estuaries of the harbour. During March,
1847, a bird of this species, having been observed
for some time swimming and diving near the beach
opposite Brunswick-terrace, Brighton, was pursued
by a party of active rowers in a galley, and cap-
tured after a long chase. This specimen is now
in my collection. The fore part of the neck

M2

244 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

exhibits a considerable portion of the ferruginous
plumage peculiar to the breeding-season.

SCLAVONIAN GREBE, Podiceps cornutus. Sel-
dom found in the adult state ; but the young —
the dusky grebe of Bewick — has been frequently
obtained.

EARED GREBE, Podiceps auritus. There is an
immature specimen of this grebe in the museum at
Chichester, which was killed in that neighbourhood.

LITTLE GREBE or DABCHICK, Podiceps minor.
Provincial, Mole-diver. Common on ponds and
sluggish streams in the interior of the county.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, Colymbus glacialis.
Old birds are scarce, but immature examples are
killed every year on the coast, and occasionally in
the interior.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER, Colymbus arcticus.
Appears to be the most uncommon of the three
divers, particularly in the perfect state of plumage.
I have a remarkably fine adult specimen which
was shot in Chichester Harbour during the winter
of 1845. I have seen another in the museum
of the Mechanics' Institute at Hastings, which
was killed in that neighbourhood ; and a third in
the Chichester collection, which was sent from
Selsey. Immature birds have frequently been
obtained on the coast.

ALCAD.E. 245

RED-THROATED DIVER, Colymbus septentrio-
nalis. Common along the shores of Sussex during
the latter part of winter and early spring, but very
few of the examples then observed or procured
have the red throat, which is usually characteristic
of the breeding-season.

Family ALCAD^E.

COMMON GUILLEMOT, Uria troile. Provincial,
Willock or Willy. Breeds at Beachy Head, but
is less abundant there than formerly. Is frequently
met with in the Channel, a few miles from the
shore, during the winter.

LITTLE AUK, Mergulus alle. Occasionally dri-
ven to our coasts by severity of weather. In the
autumn of 1841 several were killed. On the 5th
of November, in the same year, one was caught
in a shrimp-net, near Cuckmere Haven ; and after
a violent storm in December, 1848, a specimen
was captured at Newhaven.

PUFFIN or COULTERNEB, Fratercula arctica.
Provincial, Sea Parrot. These birds have no
breeding-station on the coast of Sussex, but emi-
grants from the Isle of Wight occasionally visit
our shores. These are generally immature birds.

RAZOR-BILL, Alca torda. Provincial, Parrot-
billed Willock or Willy. Breeds at Beachy Head.

246 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

During winter great numbers are killed a few
miles at sea, off Hastings.

Family PELECANID.E.

COMMON CORMORANT, Phalacrocorax carlo.
Provincial, Seaford Shag. A small colony is
established at Seaford Cliff during the breeding-
season. Stragglers from the Isle of Wight con-
tinually pass along the coast, and a bird of this
species now and then makes his appearance on
large ponds and flooded tracts of low land in the
interior.

GREEN CORMORANT, Phalacrocorax graculus.
Of very unusual occurrence. I have seen one
or two examples — immature — which were killed
at Pagham Harbour during the hard winter of
1838-39.

GANNET, Sula alba. After the severe storms
which attend the autumnal equinox, some of these
birds are almost always captured on the coast of
Sussex in an exhausted state. Individuals have
been thus found near Pagham, Selsey, Shoreham,
Newhaven, and Pevensey. The Brighton fisher-
men find them abundant in mid-channel during
the herring-season. At night they sleep on the
water, so profoundly as frequently to allow the
boats to pass over them.

LARIDjE. 247

Family LARID.E.

SANDWICH TERN, Sterna Boysii. Has been
obtained at Pevensey, Selsey, and Rye in May
and June, as well as during the autumnal months.

COMMON TERN or SEA SWALLOW, Sterna hi-
rundo. Provincial, Skiff. The wide-spreading
bed of shingle near Pevensey Bay, between East-
bourne and Bexhill, is still the resort of many
species of terns in the breeding-season ; but they
are not so numerous as they used to be, probably
in consequence of the vast number of their eggs
which have been taken during the summer, the
sale of which amounted a few years ago almost to
a regular traffic. I have heard that a person, who
lived at that time near Bexhill, had a peculiar
breed of dog — a sort of cross, as I understand,
between a setter and a water-spaniel — which he
trained to hunt for the eggs of terns, ring-dot-
terels, and lapwings : and valuable coadjutors
they proved. Quartering the ground like a pointer
or setter, and taking advantage of the direction of
the wind in the same manner, they would draw
gradually towards the spot where the eggs of
a tern had been deposited — whether the bird was
at home or not — and drop within a yard of them.
Such assistance must have greatly lessened the

248 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

labour of egg-hunting on this stony desert, for it is
generally a tedious process — as I know by experi-
ence— requiring much patience and long practice,
so nearly do the eggs, both in colour and form,
resemble the surrounding flints and pebbles.

ARCTIC TERN, Sterna arctica. Is decidedly
more numerous on Pevensey Shingle during May
and June than the last species. In fact, this bird
is here " the common tern," and would appear to
be more generally distributed throughout the Bri-
tish Islands than any of its congeners. In May,
1842, large flocks appeared almost simultaneously
at Devonport, Bristol, and Gloucester, and at
various places on the coasts of Hampshire, Sus-
sex, and Kent. This tern may at once be distin-
guished from the so-called common tern — with
which it has evidently been frequently confused —
by the prevalent light gray colour of the lower
parts, which in the latter are of a delicately pure
white. The tarsi are also much shorter.

GULL-BILLED TERN, Sterna Anglica. A veiy
scarce and local visitor. First described by
Colonel Montagu, who obtained examples at Rye.
There is a specimen in my own collection which
was shot in that neighbourhood.

LESSER TERN, Sterna minuta. Provincial,
Little Skiff. Of frequent occurrence at Pevensey
during the breeding-season and autumn.

LARID^. 249

BLACK TERN, Sterna fissipes. A rare bird in
Sussex. Has occasionally been killed at the
period of the spring and autumnal migrations,
when passing to or returning from its summer
quarters in more inland counties.

LITTLE GULL, Larus minutus. A preserved
specimen of this scarce gull is in the possession of
the Rev. Mr. Dennis, of Seaford, which was killed
in that neighbourhood ; and that gentleman was
so fortunate as to obtain during the past winter
(1849) a second example, alive, which affords a
good opportunity of observing its seasonal varia-
tions of plumage. I am indebted to Mrs. Rick-
man, of Lewes, for a beautiful coloured drawing of
this bird, taken early in December, when it had
assumed its winter livery.

BLACK-HEADED GULL, Larus ridibundus. Abun-
dant.

LAUGHING GULL, Larus atricilla. A rare spe-
cies. Inserted here on the authority of Montagu.
Vide Yarrell.

KITTIWAKE GULL, Larus tridactylus. Common.

IVORY GULL, Larus eburneus. Has been occa-
sionally obtained in Sussex. Twice near Brigh-
ton. There is a specimen, which I have seen,
in the possession of Mr. Johnson, a chemist at St.
Leonard's, which was found on the beach in a

250 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

dying state ; and during the winter of 1848 an
example occurred near Rye.

COMMON GULL, Larus canus. Less generally
distributed in Sussex than in most maritime coun-
ties. Is occasionally met with in the interior.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, Larus fuscus.
Far from common, although occasionally seen on
different parts of the coast. A few breed at New-
haven, on the same cliff as the herring gulls.

HERRING GULL, Larus argentaius. Abundant
at Newhaven during the summer.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, Larus marinus.
Provincial, Parson Gull. So called from a sup-
posed resemblance in the arrangement of its black
and white plumage to the hood and surplice of a
clergyman. Adult birds are not numerous, and
are generally observed alone.

GLAUCOUS GULL, Larus glaucus. An immature
example of this scarce gull was captured by a boy,
from off the chain-pier at Brighton, with an in-
strument called a " click," to the use of which a
certain portion of the juvenile population of that
town are much addicted. It consists of a cork
rudely fashioned after the likeness of a fish, over
which is stretched the skin of a mackerel. From
this two hooks project, which, however, are ren-
dered the most attractive portions of the bait by

LARID.E. 251

being covered with tempting morsels of liver. A
long line is then attached to it, when it is thrown
into the sea and suffered to float away with the
tide to a considerable distance. Many gulls of'
different species are thus taken every year.

The glaucous gull is as large as the great
black-backed gull. When adult it is nearly white,
but the dorsal plumage is tinged with French gray.
Young birds may be distinguished from those
of the latter species by the shafts of the wing-
feathers being always of a light colour.*

COMMON SKUA, Lestris catarractes. A rare
wanderer from the North. Has occurred on dif-
ferent parts of the coast, generally reduced to
a state of starvation. A few years since, in the
month of November, a baker's boy captured a
great skua on the beach at Kemp Town, which
was in the act of devouring a dead cat, and was
with difficulty separated from its savoury meal.
This specimen was preserved by Mr. Swaysland.
About the same time another was killed at Wor-
thing. A severe storm had prevailed for some
days previously. An individual of this species
has also been shot at Hove, while feeding on car-
rion; and another was picked up dead off the

* I have lately (February, 1850) seen an adult specimen
of the glaucous gull, said to have been shot about four
years ago near Worthing.

252 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

chain-pier at Brighton. All these examples were
in imperfect plumage and much emaciated.

POMERINE SKUA, Lestris pomarinus. Of more
usual occurrence than the last. Tmmature speci-
mens have been killed near Bognor, Shoreham,
Brighton, Newhaven, and Hastings.

RICHARDSON'S SKUA, Lestris Richardsonii. This
species of skua occurs more frequently in Sussex
than either of the preceding. Immature examples
have been killed on different parts of the coast,
and at Dell Quay, near Chichester. In Septem-
ber, 1840, one was killed at Brighton, which had
partially assumed the long tail-feathers ; and on
the 3rd of October, 1843, an adult specimen was
taken with a " click " (vide Glaucous Gull) off the
chain-pier at Brighton.

MANX SHEARWATER, Puffinus Anglorum. An
unusual and accidental visitor to this part of the
British Channel. Has been met with occasionally
at some distance from the shore.

FORK-TAILED PETREL, Thalassidroma Leachii.
Several examples of the fork-tailed petrel have
been taken on the coasts of Sussex : almost inva-
riably after south-westerly storms. It has oc-
curred at Pagham, Lancing, Shoreham, Brighton,
Newhaven, Pevensey, and Hastings. On the 23rd
of November, 1848, a specimen was shot at Little-
hampton ; and on the 14th of December, in the

LARID.E. 253

same year, an example was taken on the beach
near Rottingdean, and brought alive to Mr.
Swaysland. The tips of the wings were worn off,
probably in its vain efforts to scramble up the
perpendicular chalk -cliff after it had alighted on
the shore. Although in a dying state, it evinced
a considerable degree of coolness and self-posses-
sion after its capture, disregarding the presence of
the spectators who surrounded it, and occasionally
pluming its wings with much care and attention.
In performing this operation it opened its beak
very wide, and causing the root of the quill to fall
into the angles of the mouth, it drew every por-
tion of the feather slowly through the closed man-
dibles. In addition to the examples recorded
above as having occurred near the coast, I am
enabled to state that a fork-tailed petrel was found
dead about the middle of last December (1849) in
the grounds of Mr. Hollist, of Lodsworth, who
obligingly forwarded the bird to me. This cir-
cumstance appears worthy of distinct notice, as
the spot where it was found is almost fifteen miles
in a straight line from the sea.

STORM PETREL or MOTHER CAREY'S CHICKEN,
Thalassidroma pelagica. This bird has — more
frequently than the last — been picked up dead or
nearly so on the coast, and even many miles in the
interior. As the name would imply, it is seldom

254 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE.

seen during fine weather, but about the middle of
last May (1849) — the sea being perfectly calm,
with a gentle breeze off the land, Mr. Swaysland
met with a party of storm petrels about a mile
from the shore, opposite Brighton, and succeeded
in shooting five of them. However much it may
appear to be " at home" during a storm when far
from the land, and with plenty of sea-room — and
I have myself seen it under such circumstances in
the Bay of Biscay, as well as off the western coast
of Ireland — it would certainly seem to be " all
abroad" when driven from its favourite element
by a sudden tempest, or by those severe and pro-
tracted gales which occur at the period of the
autumnal equinox.

FINIS.

Edward Newman, Printer, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate.

LONDON, March 1850.

A CATALOGUE OF THE BOOKS
PUBLISHED BY MR. VAN VOORST.

BY SlttflUr aUfeitt, F.L.S., F.G.S., cf-c. late Sec. to the Institution.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF ARTS AND MANUFACTURES ; being
a Series of Papers on Pottery, Limestone and Calcareous Cements,
Gypsum and its uses, Furs and the Fur Trade, Felting and Hat-
making, Bone and its uses, Tortoiseshell and Whalebone, Antiquarian
and Metallurgical History of Iron, Engraving and Etching, and on
Paper. Read before the Society for the Encouragement of Arts,
Manufactures, &c. In foolscap 8vo., Illustrated. 8s. cloth.

BY U. &. &ttgteir, M.A., F.R.S., Professor of Geology in King's

College, London, 8^c.
THE ANCIENT WORLD ; or, Picturesque Sketches of Creation.

With 149 Illustrations. A New Edition, Post 8vo., 10s. 6d.
THE GEOLOGIST'S TEXT BOOK. Foolscap 8vo. 3s. 6d.
THE GOLD SEEKER'S MANUAL. Foolscap 8vo. 3s. 6d.

BY Ctjarles <tt. Eatungton, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., $c.

A MANUAL OF BRITISH BOTANY; containing the Flowering
Plants and Ferns, arranged according to the Natural Orders. Second
Edition, 12mo. 10s.

BY Cljomas Ueale.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SPERM WHALE, and

a Sketch of a South Sea Whaling Voyage. Post 8vo. 12s.

BY IProfefiSOC Bell, Sec. R.S., F.L.S., F.G.S.
A HISTORY OF BRITISH REPTILES. Second Edition, with

50 Wood Engravings. 8vo. 12s.
A HISTORY OF BRITISH QUADRUPEDS, including the

Cetacea. Nearly 200 Illustrations, 8vo. 28s. A few copies also in

royal 8vo. 21. 16s., imperial 8vo. 4Z. 4s.
A HISTORY OF BRITISH CRUSTACEA. Now in Course of

Publication, in Parts at 2s. 6c?., or large paper 5s.

BY ORrtoarfc ISebatt, M.D.

THE HONEY BEE ; its Natural History, Physiology, and Man-
agement. A New Edition, 12mo., with many Illustrations, 10s. 6d.

BY Oottltet) iSoccius.

A TREATISE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FRESH- WATER
FISH, with a view to making them a Source of Profit to Landed
Proprietors. 8vo. 5s.

A TREATISE ON THE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
OF FISH IN FRESH WATERS, by Artificial Spawning,
Breeding, and Rearing : showing also the Cause of the Depletion of
all Rivers and Streams. 8vo. 5s.

2 WORKS PUBLISHED BY MR. VAN VOORST.

BY (Efjarles Hucicn tSonaparte, Prince of Canino.

A GEOGRAPHICAL AND COMPARATIVE LIST OF THE
BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA. 8vo. 5s.

BY fcfle i&eb. Peter Beilettger iSrotrie, M.A., F.G.S.

A HISTORY OF THE FOSSIL INSECTS IN THE SECOND-
ARY ROCKS OF ENGLAND. Accompanied by a Particular
Account of the Strata in which, they occur, and of the circumstances
connected with their preservation. With 11 Plates. 8vo. 9s.

BY JfOSeplj !3uUar, MJX, and &enrg Btlllar, of Lincoln's Inn.
A WINTER IN THE AZORES, and a Summer at the Baths of
the Furnas. Two vols. 8vo., with Illustrations, 28s.

EDITED BY €f)e i^Ott. Hofeert &. (JtUbe.

DOCUMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE HISTORY OF LUD-
LOW AND THE LORDS MARCHERS. Imperial 8vo. 31s. 6d.

BY Jtottatfjatt COttCtj, F.L.S., Member of the Royal Geological Society

and of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Qc.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF INSTINCT, deduced from the Habits of
British Animals. Post 8vo. 8s. 6d.

BY &fje Keb. $. <S. dimming, M.A., F.G.S., Vic,e-Principal of King

William's College, Castletown.

THE ISLE OF MAN; its History, Physical, Ecclesiastical, Civil, and
Legendary. Post 8vo., Illustrated with Views and Sections, 12s. 6d.

BY g>ir $ol)n <&rat)am IPalgell, Bart.

RARE AND REMARKABLE ANIMALS OF SCOTLAND,
Represented from Living Subjects : with Practical Observations on
their Nature. 2 vols. 4to. containing 109 Coloured Plates, 6J. 6s.

BY l^enre Houfcletrag.

A NOMENCLATURE OF BRITISH BIRDS, for Labelling Col-
lections of British Birds and their Eggs. Third Edition, Is. 6d. sewed.

BY fatties 3L. JDrummOtttf, M.D., Professor of Anatomy and Physio-
logy in the Belfast Royal Institution.

FIRST STEPS TO ANATOMY. With 12 Illustrative Plates.
12mo. 5s.

BY ifcofcert Hutm.

THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S GUIDE TO THE ISLANDS OF
ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. Post 8vo. 5s.

BY professor (Eft. Dories, F.R.S., F.L.S., F.G.S.

A HISTORY OF BRITISH STARFISHES, and other Animals of
the Class Echinodermata. 8vo., with more than 120 Illustrations,
15s., or Royal 8vo. 30s.

BY professor jf orfces and ^glbanus f^anleg, B.A., F.L.S.

A HISTORY OF BRITISH MOLLUSCA AND THEIR SHELLS.
Vol. I. 8vo., 11. Us. 6d., Vol. II. U. 15s. ; or Royal 8vo. with the
Plates coloured, Vol. I. 32. 3s.; Vol. II. SI. 10s.

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW.

WORKS PUBLISHED BY MR. VAN VOORST.

BY professor Forbes and <Eapt. &. Spratt, R.N.

TRAVELS IN LYCIA, MILYAS, AND THE CIBYRATIS, in
Company with the late REV. E. T. DANIELL. With numerous
Illustrations, including Views of the Scenery, Plans of Ancient
Cities and Buildings, Plates of Coins and Inscriptions, Cuts of Rock
Tombs, Fossils, and Geological Sections ; and an original Map of
Lycia. 2 vols. 8vo. 36s.

BY Kofcert (Earner, F.L.S.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE, comprising

its Geology, Zoology, Botany, and Meteorology ; also its Antiquities,

Topography, Manufactures, &c. Illustrated, 8vo. 11. Is.
BY P. f^. (goBSe.

THE BIRDS OF JAMAICA. Post 8vo., price 10s.
ILLUSTRATIONS to this Work, of Species not heretofore figured.

Imperial 8vo., 64 coloured plates, 36s.
THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. With 44 Illustrations of the

most remarkable Animal and Vegetable productions. Post 8vo. 12s.

BY Charles f^ertert of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law.
GROTIUS' INTRODUCTION TO DUTCH JURISPRUDENCE.

Now first rendered into English. Royal 8vo. II. 11s. Gd.

BY

UNIVERSAL STENOGRAPHY; or, A New and Practical System
of Short Hand Writing, on the basis of Taylor. 12mo. 3s. sewed.
3s. 6d. bound.

BY professor f^arbeg. M.D., M.R.LA.

THE SEA-SIDE BOOK : being an Introduction to the Natural
History of the British Coasts. Second Edition. Fcap. 8vo., with
69 Illustrations, 5s.

A MANUAL OF THE BRITISH MARINE ALGM : contain-
ing Generic and Specific Descriptions of all the known British species
of Sea- Weeds, with Plates to illustrate all the Genera. 8vo. 21s.,
coloured copies, 31s. 6d.

BY ftfje Heb. flffllm. f^aslam, B.A., Resident Curate.

PERRAN-ZABULOE ; with an Account of the Past and Present
State of the Oratory of St. Piran-in-the-Sands, and Remarks on its
Antiquity. Foolscap 8vo., with several Illustrations, 4s. 6d.

BY ai'tOut ^enfreS, F.L.S., Lecturer on Botany at St. George's Hospital.
THE RUDIMENTS OF BOTANY. A familiar Introduction to

the Study of Plants. 16mo., with illustrative Wood-cuts, 3s. 6d.
OUTLINES OF STRUCTURAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL

BOTANY. With 18 Plates, Foolscap 8vo. 10s. 6d.

BY |Ht. i^enfreg and aifrelr Culfc, M.R.C.S., M.E.S.

ANATOMICAL MANIPULATION; or, Methods of pursuing
Practical Investigations in Comparative Anatomy and Physiology :
also an Introduction to the Use of the Microscope, &c., and an
Appendix. Foolscap 8vo., with Diagrams, 9s.

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW.

WORKS PUBLISHED BY MR. VAN VOORST.

BY JHt. $aleg (continued).

THE CHURCH RESTORERS ; A Tale, Treating of Ancient and
Modern Architecture and Church Decorations. Foolscap 8vo. 4s. 6d.

A MANUAL OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE. With a full
Account of Monumental Brasses and Ecclesiastical Costume. Fools-
cap 8vo. with 70 Illustrations, 6s. 6d.

BY &|}e $Ceb. 3. <JEf. ^UrcfiaS, Precentor of St. John's College, Bishop's
Auckland, New Zealand

FIRST LESSONS FOR SINGING CLASSES. Post 8vo. 2s. 6d.

BY ftrtteatix Jofjn Seltg, F.L.S., M.W.S., $c.

A HISTORY OF BRITISH FOREST-TREES, Indigenous and
Introduced. Nearly 200 Engravings. 8vo. 28s., royal 8vo. 21. 16s.

BY <jHmnittlr &l)arpe, M.A., Architect.

A TREATISE ON THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF DECO-
RATED WINDOW TRACERY IN ENGLAND. Illustrated
with 97 Woodcuts and 6 Engravings on Steel. 8vo. 10s. Gd.— And

A SERIES OF ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE WINDOW
TRACERY OF THE DECORATED STYLE OF ECCLESI-
ASTICAL ARCHITECTURE. 60 Steel Engravings, with De-
scriptions. 8vo. 21s.

ARCHITECTURAL PARALLELS; or, The Progress of Ecclesias-
tical Architecture in England, through the Twelfth and Thirteenth
Centuries, exhibited in a Series of Parallel Examples selected from
Abbey Churches. 121 Plates in tinted outline, each 18 in. by 12
in. half morocco. 13Z. 13s., or large paper, 16J. 10*.

BY K. 13. Mart*. F.L.S.

ON THE GROWTH OF PLANTS IN CLOSELY-GLAZED
CASES. 8vo. 5s.

BY Barnes ffjetoetsott SSEilson, F.L.S., $c.

A TRANSLATION OF DE JUSSIEU'S ELEMENTS OF BO-
TANY. 12mo., with 750 Woodcuts, 12s. 6d.
BY JL I. ffifflJtl&Ott.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHRIST'S HOSPITAL, from its
Foundation by King Edward the Sixth. Seventh Edition, with Six
Illustrations, and a List of the Governors. 12mo. 4s.

BY Cfjarles TOoolrtoartr. F.K.S.

A FAMILIAR INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF PO-
LARIZED LIGHT ; with a Description of, and Instructions for
Using, the Table and Hydro-Oxygen, Polariscope and Microscope.
8vo., Illustrated, 3s.

BY fflfflltUtam ¥amll. F.L.S., V.P.Z.S, <£•<?.

A HISTORY OF BRITISH BIRDS. This work contains a his-
tory and a portrait of each species of the Birds found in Britain.
The three volumes contain 535 Illustrations. Second Edition.
3 vols. demy 8 vo. 41. 1 4s. 6d. Royal 8vo. 91. ; or imperial 8vo. 1 3/. 1 Os.
A Supplement to the first edition, demy 8vo. 2s. 6d. ; royal 8vo. 5s. ;
imperial 8vo. 7s. 6d.

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW.

WORKS PUBLISHED BY MR. VAN VOORST. 7

BY 4»r. kartell (continued').

A HISTORY OF BRITISH FISHES. Second Edition, in two
vols. demy 8vo., Illustrated by nearly 500 Engravings, 3J. A Sup-
plement to the First Edition, demy 8vo. 7s. 6d.; royal 8vo 15s •
imperial 8vo. 11. 2s. 6d.

A PAPER ON THE GROWTH OF THE SALMON IN FRESH
WATER. With Six Illustrations of the Fish of the Natural Size,
exhibiting its structure and exact appearance at various stages during
the first two years. ] 2s. sewed.

BAPTISMAL FONTS. A Series of 125 Engravings, Examples of the
different Periods, accompanied with Descriptions ; and with an In-
troductory Essay by Mr. PALEY. 8vo. H. Is.

A CATALOGUE OF BRITISH VERTEBRATED ANIMALS
derived from BELL'S Br. Quadrupeds and Reptiles, and YARRELL'S Br.
Birds and Fishes; so printed as to be applicable for labels. 8vo. 2s 6d

A CABINET EDITION OF THE HOLY BIBLE; the Authorized
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subjects from the most esteemed paintings of the Old Masters, and
the Landscapes from drawings by W. WESTALL, A.R.A. In em-
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A CABINET EDITION OF THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER-
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manner, on steel. In embossed binding, 4s., uniform with the
Cabinet Bible.

DOMESTIC SCENES IN GREENLAND AND ICELAND. 16mo ,
Illustrated, 2s. 6d.

ELEMENTS OF PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE; or, the Young
Inquirer answered. Explaining, in question and answer, and in
familiar language, what most things daily used, seen, or talked of
are ; what they are made of, where found, and to what uses applied.
Second Edition, 18mo., with Illustrations, 3s.

EVENING THOUGHTS. By a Physician. Post 8vo. 4s. 6d.

THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION, and the Existence of a
Deity, explained in a Series of Dialogues adapted to the capacity of
the Infant mind. 18mo. 2s.

INSTRUMENTA ECCLESIASTICA : a Series of 72 designs for the

Furniture, Fittings, and Decorations of Churches and their Precincts.

Edited by the Ecclesiological, late Cambridge Camden. Society. 4to.

U. lls. 6d. — A second series is now in course of publication
LETTERS FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, illustrating Life and

Manners in the West Indies. Post 8vo. 9s. 6d.

THE LETTERS OF RUSTICUS OF GODALMING. 8vo with
Illustrations, 8s. 6d.

LITTLE FABLES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. Selected for their
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exceeds two syllables. 18mo. Is. 6d.

THE POOR ARTIST ; or, Seven Eye-Sights and One Object. Fcap
8vo. 5s.

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW.

WORKS PUBLISHED BY MR. VAN VOORST.

Illustrated

AIKIN'S CALENDAR OF NATURE ; or, Natural History of each
Month of the Year. With additions, by a Fellow of the Linnaean
and Zoological Societies, and 18 designs by Cattermole. Small 8vo.
2s. 6d . In ordering this volume " Cattermole's Edition " should be
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BLOOMFIELD'S FARMER'S BOY, and other Rural TALES and
POEMS. With 13 Illustrations by SIDNEY COOPER, R.A.,
HORSLEY, FREDERICK TAYLER, and THOMAS WEBSTER, R.A.
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DODSLEY'S ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE. In 12 Books, with
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HOWARD, HARVEY, WILLIAMS, &c. 18mo., gilt edges, 5s.
GOLDSMITH'S VICAR OF WAKEF1ELD. With 32 Illustrations
by WILLIAM MULREADY, R.A. ; engraved by JOHN THOMPSON.
II. Is. square 8vo., or 36s. in morocco.

GRAY'S ELEGY IN A COUNTRY CHURCH-YARD. Each
Stanza illustrated with an Engraving on Wood, from 33 original
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GRAY'S BARD. With Illustrations from Drawings by the Hon.
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forms an appropriate companion volume. 7s.

SHAKSPE ARE'S SEVEN AGES OF MAN. Illustrated by WM.
MULREADY, R.A. ; J. CONSTABLE, R.A. ; SIR DAVID WILKIE,
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WATTS' DIVINE AND MORAL SONGS. With 30 Illustrations
by C. W. COPE, R.A.; engraved by JOHN THOMPSON. Square
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WHITE'S NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. A New Edi-
tion, with Notes by the REV. LEONARD JENYNS, MA,, F.L.S., &c.
With 26 Illustrations. Foolscap 8vo. 7s. 6d.

Shortly will be Published.
GOODSIR'S (R. A.) ARCTIC VOYAGE.

ANSTED'S (PROFESSOR) ELEMENTARY COURSE OF GEO-
LOGY, MINERALOGY, AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
JOHNSTON'S (DR.) INTRODUCTION TO CONCHOLOGY.
LATHAM'S (DR. R. G.) NATURAL HISTORY OF MAN.
KNOX'S (A. E.) GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL.

The Illustrations to ilie Works enumerated in this Catalogue have been de-
signed or drawn and engraved expressly for tlie Works they respectively
embellish, and they are never used for other Works.

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW.