CHAPTER XII 



WEST OF THE ADUR 



Autumn on the west downs — Abundance of birds — Village of 

 Cocking — Drayton's Polyolbion — A company of magpies ; their 

 inconsequent behaviour — Magpie and domestic pigeon — Story 

 of a pet magpie — Blackberries on the downs — Elderberries — 

 YevfS at Kingly Bottom — A tradition — Yew-berries and the 

 missel-thrushes' orgie — Hawthorn wood — Charm of the thorn- 

 tree — Beeches on the west downs — Effect of trees on the South 

 Downs — Gilpin's strictures answered — Characteristic trees and 

 bushes — Juniper — A curious effect — Character of the juniper- 

 tree. 



Throughout the southern half of England generally, 

 the season from the beginning of April to the end of 

 June is incomparably the most interesting time of the 

 year to the bird lover. It is the season of the return 

 of the migrants, of song, and of breeding. If there 

 is a district which may be regarded as an exception 

 it is assuredly that part of the Sussex downs west of 

 the Adur, or perhaps it would be safer to say west of 

 the Arun ; for while the inland bird life in other 

 places is diminishing day by day, here it is increasing. 

 To these wooded and partially cultivated downs, and 

 to the sheltered strip of rich, flat, maritime country 

 that lies between them and the sea, birds in numbers 

 resort in the autumn from the colder northern country, 



217 



