RINGOUSELS. 133 



at intervals, all along the Sussex downs from Chi- 

 chester to Lewes. Let them come from whence they 

 will, it looks very suspicious that they are cantoned 

 along the coast, in order to pass the Channel, when 

 severe weather advances. They visit us again in 

 April, as it should seem, in their return, and are not 

 to he found in the dead of winter. It is remarkable 

 that they are very tame, and seem to have no manner 

 of apprehensions of danger from a person with a gun. 

 There are bustards on the wide downs near Bright- 

 helmstone. No doubt you are acquainted with the 

 Sussex downs. The prospects and rides round Lewes 

 are most lovely. 



As I rode along near the coast I kept a very sharp 

 look-out in the lanes and woods, hoping I might, at 

 this time of the year, have discovered some of the 

 summer short- winged birds of passage crowding to- 

 wards the coast, in order for their departure ; but 

 it was very extraordinary that I never saw a red- 

 start, white-throat, black-cap, uncrested wren, fly- 

 catcher, &c. ; and I remember to have made the 

 same remark in former years, as I usually come to 

 this place annually about this time. The birds most 

 common along the coast, at present, are the stone- 

 chatters, whinchats, buntings, linnets, some few 

 wheatears, titlarks, &c. Swallows and house-martins 



to the upper muscles, bends the point downwards and backwards ; 

 while, therefore, the point of the beak presses tne shell from the 

 body of the cone, the tongue, brought forward by, its own muscle, 

 (genio-hyoideus,) is enabled, by the additional muscles described, 

 to direct and insert its cutting scoop underneath the seed, and 

 the food thus dislodged is transferred to the mouth ; and, when 

 the mandibles are separated laterally in this operation, the bird 

 has an uninterrupted view of the seed in the cavity, with the eye 

 on that side to which the under mandible is curved." 



For farther information, consult Zoological Journal, vol. iv. 

 p. 459. W. J. 



