ousels (my newly discovered migrators) scattered, at 

 intervals, all along the Sussex downs from Chichester 

 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 be 

 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 

 Brighthelmstone. 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 crowd- 

 ing towards the coast in order for their departure ; 

 but it was very extraordinary that I never saw a 

 redstart, whitethroat, blackcap, 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 

 abound yet, induced to prolong their stay by this 



soft, still, dry season. 



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