140 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



sheep ponds on the Downs, at seasons when it was most 

 probable that the females were sitting close at hand. 

 Subsequent experience goes to prove that Booth was 

 probably perfectly correct in his surmise. 



It was not, however, until May 31st, 1901, that the first 

 authenticated nest was found in Sussex. On this date 

 Mr. Bristow took a nest, with four eggs, near Winchelsea."^ 

 Three of the eggs were unfortunately broken, but the 



Nesting-place of the Blue-beaded Wagtail at Winchelsea, Sussex. 

 (Photoirrapli by N. F. Ticehurst.) 



fourth egg and the nest are now in the collection of 

 Caj)t. Boyd Alexander at Cranbrook. I recorded the 

 nesting of two pairs in 1903 at the same sj)ot near 

 Winchelsea. One of these nests was taken and was 

 exhibited by myself at the British Ornithologists' Club. 

 It contained five eggs and is the first Sussex nest with the 

 full complement.t Since that year, a pair or two of these 

 birds has appeared almost annually near Winchelsea, but 

 it is to be feared that the publicity given to their first 

 discovery has prevented them again rearing a brood. 



t "Bulletin B.O.C., 



" Zoologist," 1901, p. 389. 

 Vol. XIII., p. 78; "Zoologist," 1903, p 420. 



