248 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



formerly on the fens of England, but there is no known 

 instance of its nesting in Sussex. 



Mr. Knox states that it has been killed once or twice in 

 an immature state at Amberley, also on Pevensey Levels 

 and the Rye Marshes, and that a maiC and female, killed at 

 Sidlesham, are in Chichester Museum (O. E. p. 233). 

 Mr. Gordon, in his ' History of Harting/ mentions one shot 

 at Black Rye Pond in the autumn of 1858. Mr. JeflFery 

 (p. n.) records that one was shot on fresh water near Bird- 

 ham, on August 6th, 1853 ; another on a freshwater pond 

 near Ashling, August 24th, 1854-, containing remains of 

 insects and of marine and freshwater shells, and a portion 

 of fine gravel. A young bird of this year was shot at 

 Pagham, and five more were seen on August 29th, 1865; 

 and one was shot at Bosham on the 4th September, 1867. 

 The nest is concealed in the coarse herbage of the swamps 

 and meadows, and is composed of dry grass and other 

 weeds. 



When disturbed they are very vociferous, flying round and 

 uttering a sound resembling "^grutty, grutty." Mr. Seebohm, 

 speaking of a nest which he found in Jutland, in his 

 "British Birds" (vol. iii. p. 165), remarks that it was a 

 mere hollow in the short coarse herbage on the dry part of 

 the ground, somewhat deep, and lined with a handful of dry 

 grass. 



BAR-TAILED GODWIT. 



Limosa lapj^onica. 



The Bar-tailed. Godwit arrives in May so regularly that the 

 12th is known as Godwit day; but far greater numbers 



