CHARADKIID^. 225 



mage, in which state I have met with this bird at 

 Pagham harbour. I have received an example 

 shot in March, near Chichester, which had ah^eady 

 assumed 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. 



TuRXSTONE, Strepsilas interpres. Rather a 

 scarce bird. I have met with it occasionally on 

 different parts of the coast. 



Sanderling, Calldris arenaria. Not uncom- 

 mon in the winter, when the upper plumage is of 

 a very light grey colour and the lower white. It 

 has been killed occasionally, but rarely, during 

 the summer: its appearance is then nearly simi- 

 lar 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, Hcewiatopus ostra- 

 legus. 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, re- 

 maining 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. 



l5 



