hundreds of these birds lose their lives in attempt- 

 ing the same thing a few years back in the east of 

 Sussex. 



The water had been drawn off from a large 

 fish-pond, and although the surface still retained 

 its usual appearance, it was in reality nothing 

 more than a thick black mud of about the con- 

 sistency of treacle. 



The old saying, that " one fool makes many/' 

 certainly referred to the poor Swallows, for no 

 sooner had the wings of one unlucky bird been 

 caught by the mud while skimming too closely over 

 the surface, than the struggles of the sufferer 

 brought scores to the spot, and within an hour or 

 two the mud was dotted all over with hundreds of 

 dead and dying victims. Some of those nearest the 

 shore were reached with landing nets, and after 

 being cleansed from the mud in fresh water, and 

 placed in the sun for a short time, were enabled to 

 dry their feathers and make good their escape. 



A few Swallows frequently remain long after 

 the main body have left our shores for a warmer 

 climate. These, I believe, are for the most part 

 young birds, either too backward or too weak to 

 attempt the journey. They are occasionally noticed 

 as late as Christmas, if the weather continues open, 

 but as they are generally lost sight of after a few 

 days' frost, it may be supposed that they have at 

 last succumbed to cold and hunger. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in 

 Sussex, during the summer of 1870. 



GOLDEN PLOVER (SUMMER). 

 Case 6. 



Golden Plovers, with black breasts, usually 

 arrive at their breeding quarters in the Highlands 

 at the end of April or the beginning of May ; the 

 time, however, varies with the state of the weather. 

 In the spring of 1867, they made their appearance 



