368 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



makes the folloAving remarks : — " Montague says, ' This 

 Bird_, from its great Length of Wings and Tail, is capable of 

 supporting itself in the Air, with very little INIotion, and for 

 a great Continuance, but is slow in Flight.' This is true in 

 general, but it can occasionally exert itself with great Quick- 

 ness. I once saw two Kites soaring in the Air with an easy 

 Motion, at no great Distance from a Reedy Marsh, when 

 one of them by Accident, or by Design, dropped Something 

 from its Claws, which appeared to me, as it fell towards the 

 Ground, to be either a small Eel or a Snake ; when instantly 

 the other Kite darted after it with amazing Velocity, and 

 caught it in its Claws with surprizing Dexterity before it 

 reached the Ground."" 



Mr. Markwick gives a figure and description of the Hobby, 

 and says, " That it breeds here I know, having seen a Young 

 one of this Species in the Garden at Denn Park, which was 

 taken in the Neighbourhood of Horsham.'" 



Of the Roller, which he mentions in his Catalogue in the 

 Trans, of the Linn. Soc. vol. iv., he gives a figure and adds 

 the following : — "■ The Bird from which I drew this Figure 

 was shot and caught alive near Crowhurst Church, in this 

 Neighbourhood, on the 22nd of September, 1790. It lived 

 several Days, but was dead, flayed, and badly stuffed, when I 

 saw it on the 2nd of October after.'' 



Speaking of the Landrail, of which he gives a figure, 

 he remarks : — '' Though Mr. Latham says few Places in 

 England are destitute of this Bird in Summer, I am inclined 

 to think it does not breed here in Sussex, as I never heard 

 of any Nest or Young Ones being seen, nor did I ever see the 

 Bird itself earlier than the 24th of August. That it is a Bird 

 of Passage there is no Doubt, appearing with us about the 

 latter end of August, and disappearing about the Beginning 

 of November, for the latest I ever heard of was one being- 

 shot on or about the 6th of November." 



In the same MS. he says of the Great Snipe : — " This 

 Bird was killed in the Neighbourhood of Horsham, and 



