I2 4 



agreed in the fact that there was every year a great 

 falling off in the number of birds so taken. 



A fall of snow and a cold wind from the north- 

 west is certain to bring enormous nights of Larks 

 and other birds along the south coast ; they all 

 appear intent on making their way from east to 

 west, occasionally passing in continual streams 

 from daylight till dark. The Larks are usually the 

 first birds to show, a slight covering of snow being- 

 sufficient to move them, while it requires a few 

 days' continuance of severe weather before Field- 

 fares, Redwings and Blackbirds appear in any 

 numbers. 



At such times the whole of the bird-catching 

 fraternity of Brighton are engaged in the work of 

 destruction. Should a strong cold wind from the 

 north-west be blowing the course of the birds is 

 close to the ground, and thousands are captured in 

 the nets. There is considerable competition for 

 what are considered the best pitches, numbers of 

 men leaving Brighton shortly after midnight and 

 depositing their packs on the ground they intend 

 to occupy, to reserve the spot ; they seek what shelter 

 they can till daylight behind some bank or stack. 

 From thirty to fifty dozen are commonly captured 

 and the takes not unfrequently reach as high as 

 eighty dozen. 



I have myself seen over 200 clap-nets at work 

 on a favourable day, and as scores of drag-nets are 

 out as soon as dusk sets in some idea of the number 

 of birds caught may be formed. 



The whole of the specimens in the case were 

 obtained in the Potter Heigham Marshes in the 

 east of Norfolk in June, 1870, the Stoat being 

 surprised while carrying off the young Lark. 



GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



Case 167. 

 The showy plumage of the Golden Oriole 



