50 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



large warrens in the neighbourhood of Thetford and 

 other parts of Norfolk it breeds abundantly. 



On the range of the South Downs in Sussex, from 

 above Worthing to Newhaven, it is also by no means 

 scarce, being perhaps most plentiful on the hills 

 between Brighton and Lewes. 



I noticed that all the nests I have discovered in 

 Sussex, have been placed on slopes of the downs that 

 faced either south or west. 



I have never met with this bird during the winter, 

 though I have heard of their being occasionally flushed 

 from the turnip-fields late in the autumn, and it is 

 most probable that they leave the country on the 

 approach of cold weather.* 



I believe it has been stated by most naturalists that 

 the male and female are alike. This is certainly true 

 as regards the plumage, but, as will be seen by the 

 specimens in the case, the male has a knob of about 

 the size of two peas on the base of the beak, which 

 easily distinguishes him from his mate. We are like- 

 wise informed that incubation lasts sixteen or seventeen 

 clays, but I am afraid that the patience of the birds will 

 have to be taxed for about five days longer, before 

 their downy progeny breaks the shell. 



The male, female, and eggs are from the hills 

 between Brighton and Lewes, and were obtained in 

 June, 1872. 



The case is a correct representation of a nest found 



* I was previously unaware that this Plover was found in 

 Sussex during the winter ; but to-day (January 25th, 1876) I 

 was informed by a shepherd near Brighton, who knows the bird 

 well, that he had just seen five flying together. 



