290 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



are not now more than two or three pairs. Mr. Booth 

 states that on April 23rdj 1874^ "thousands of this species 

 were observed in the Channel^ some nine or ten miles out at 

 sea^ off Brighton. Several large flocks flew east during the 

 day, but the majority were floating motionless on the glassy 

 surface of the water^ unruffled by a breath of air. These 

 birds were, with few excej)tions, in full summer plumage, 

 only a single specimen in the perfect winter dress being 

 noticed/' The Guillemot flies with great speed, but rises 

 with difficulty at all times, flapping along the water for some 

 time before getting well on the wing, and if fully fed, it will 

 not rise, but merely dives, and when mounting to the top 

 of the cliff, makes several circles before it can attain the 

 necessary height. The egg is placed on the bare rock, 

 generally on the middle ledges of the clifl^s, without any nest. 

 Long rows of Guillemots may be observed in such places as 

 Flamborough Head sitting close together, most of them 

 with their white breasts toward the sea. Their food and 

 habits are similar to those of the Razor-bill. 



On November 28th, 1850, I saw, at Mr. Swaysland's, an 

 immature specimen of the variety known as the Ringed 

 Guillemot, which was formerly considered a distinct species. 

 It had been shot off the Chain Pier at Brighton on Oct. 22ud. 



Mr. Dennis informs me that on July 4th, 1850, as he was 

 walking near Seaford, his attention was called by a child to 

 a " duck '' which was sitting on some wreck driving about in 

 Seaford Bay. He ran down to the edge of the water, and 

 fired at the bird, which was hard hit and unable to fly, but 

 every time he approached it contrived to elude' him. By 

 hiding behind a groyne he got another shot with a cartridge 

 and knocked the bird under Avater; on rising it was feet 

 uppermost. His spaniel dashed in for it, but it did battle 

 with its bill and fairly drove the dog off. He then fired 

 again, and the dog fetched it out. It proved to be a Ringed 



