A HISTORY OF SUSSEX 



are constantly seen by those who know their haunts and habits. In 

 certain seasons too, such as the winters of 1895-6, the county is 

 visited in winter by immense flocks of migratory wood-pigeons, 

 which settle in some districts where acorns have been unusually 

 abundant and do not leave till the following spring. 



The coast line of Sussex from Brighton to Eastbourne consists of 

 cliffs rising to various heights and attaining their greatest elevation at 

 Beachy Head (600 feet). Here the cUffs terminate, and Pevensey 

 Level stretches to beyond Hastings. There are sandy cliffs about the 

 latter place, and these gradually fall to the levels of Rye and Winchelsea. 

 West of Brighton the coast is somewhat flat and continues so until the 

 borders of Hants. 



In such a varied coast line of mud-flat, pebbly beach, sandy shore 

 and chalk cliff the southern littoral of Sussex is naturally a favourite 

 winter resort and resting place at all seasons of a large number of species 

 of water birds. That the coast attractions have suff^ered during the past 

 century from the birds point of view it is hardly necessary to point out ; 

 for the growth of sea traffic and the extension of seaside resorts have 

 brought with them crowds of visitors who, if not actual destroyers, are 

 nevertheless constant disturbers of birds, and serve to drive them from 

 their haunts. About the year 1881 things had reached their worst, for 

 with the introduction of the Wild Birds Protection Act a new era arrived 

 when the terns could nest in comparative peace and the flocks of waders, 

 gulls and other sea birds were not subject to harassment all the year 

 round. Now in certain sheltered bays that are well known to the few 

 one may any May morning lie on the shore and watch with pleasure 

 small flocks of several of the rarer waders in their beautiful summer 

 dress, a treat denied the ornithologist in almost every other county in 

 England except Norfolk. 



No very great change has taken place in the riparian character of 

 the Sussex rivers except in the case of the A run, which flows through 

 the Weald. Till 1820 all the open meadowlands now reclaimed and 

 stretching from Pulborough to the South Downs were described by 

 Knox as ' covered with dense woods, where the adventurous sportsman 

 delighted to contend with the tangled brushwood, and wade, knee deep, 

 through the marshy jungles that extended for miles on either side of the 

 river, affording shelter and sustenance at all seasons to various tribes of 

 water fowl which haunted its recesses.' From these wild swamps the 

 bittern and the ruff have gone for ever, and only a small remnant of the 

 original fen remains to-day in the wild marsh by the ruins of Amberley 

 Castle. 



But while we have lost a few of the most interesting of the once 

 resident species there are indications that in the near future protection 

 will have had its full reward, and that we shall induce other species to 

 take their place. 



Already in the neighbouring counties and in other parts of England 

 and Scotland ornithologists are noting with pleasure the extension in the 



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