140 OEXITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



the hop of the sparrowhawk or the leap of the 

 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 ob- 

 tained during the autumn of 1841, between Hen- 

 field 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 moderate 

 distance. 



