42 



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 occasion- 

 ally 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 likewise informed that incubation 

 lasts sixteen or seventeen days, 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 near Falmer, every stone and stem of furze 

 being brought from the identical spot. 



See "Bough Notes," Vol. IL, Plate 13. 



GAKGANEY. 

 Case 57. 



This beautifnl little Duck is only a summer 

 visitor to Great Britain. 



* 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. 



